A CONSPIRACY OF THE WICKED AND ABANDONED? (PART II)

REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. 1 Corinthians 5:13b

In the late 80’s, when the grotesque PTL scandal was at its height, D. James Kennedy was interviewed by ABC’s Ted Koppel, regarding his thoughts on the matter. Dr. Kennedy aptly observed that the reason there are so many HYPOCRITES in the Church is because there is so little DISCIPLINE in the Church!

Picking up from yesterday’s comments regarding the Lord’s wise, loving, and benevolent design in demanding the practice of ecclesiastical discipline, we note that sin, like a cancer, or some communicable disease, if left unrestrained, can only continue to EXPAND. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6), and “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Through the ministry of Discipline, we are protecting our flocks and maintaining a culture of holiness within our local assemblies, unto to the glory of God and the flourishing of His people. 

Furthermore, Church Discipline that is wisely, correctly, and sensitively applied is for the benefit—not the harm—of the offender. The loving aim is towards the brother’s repentance and ultimate restoration (e.g., note Paul’s pastoral counsel in

2 Corinthians 2:5-8 concerning undue severity in discipline—possibly with reference to the disciplined brother of 1 Corinthians 5!). The “wake-up” call of formal censure is sometimes the necessary medicine and that begins the journey towards gentle restoration—without which “a remedy would become a poison” (Calvin, The Institutes, IV.12.8).

We all know that our own personal familial households cannot flourish without real, substantial, and well-intended corrective discipline (Proverbs 13:24). Indeed, the same is true of any human combination or society. Why then would we believe that the Lord’s household can similarly flourish without meaningful standards and correction?

Terry L. Reese