Daily Searchlight. Tuesday, October 1st, 2014. DISCIPLINE THE ERRING ONES OPENLY. Text: Acts 5:1-11; 2 Samuel 12:7-12. Meditative Verse: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. - 1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV) Discipline is indispensable in the church of Christ. As a matter of fact, it is part and parcel of the gospel. Discipline is like a whip in the hands of a loving and caring herdman to lead the erring cattle traced back to the path of safety. Depending on the gravity of sins, discipline in the church can take the form of rebuke, denial of privilege, withdrawal from spiritual service, divine chastisment to any human like that king David, curse on the prosterity of unrighteousness like Eli and his sons, and instant death as seen from the text. Apostle Paul here exerted his ministerial and apostolic authority to enforce discipline on the sinning believers in the Corinthian church. Discipline of erring believers pleases God. That is why the Trinity is always involved (Numbers 12:9, 10). Obviously, it is commanded in the Scriptures that the believers that commit sins should be rebuked before all for others to fear (1 Timothy 5:20; Acts 5:11). Discipline is part of love for others and Christ-like love. The Lord Jesus says, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent (Revelation 3:19 KJV). Discipline is a means of bringing back erring ones to the Lord. During discipline, backsliders usually take inventory of their lives and pray through to restoration (1 Corinthians 5:5; 7:9, 10). Discipline of erring believers in the church serves as a deterrence to others. If Ananias and Sapphira had gone unpunished, the couple would have been hardened to go further into other heinous sins; so also others would be encouraged and emboldened to commit similar and more serious evils. However, to maintain a landmarks and keep the standard in a living church, discipline must be enforced on backsliders. This will serve as a good precedent for the generations to come and rebuke for other compromising churches (Proverbs 22:28). Like a leaven, sins must be wipe-out so as to prevent spreading their influences to the congregation in prepation for the Second Coming of Christ (1Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:27). Where scriptural discipline is observed and kept to standard, the fear of God will be instilled in the members of the church. Righteousness will also flourish, giving room for mighty dispensation of the power of God among the saints. It will serve as an enduring legacy in a Bible-believing church. A God-fearing generation will be built divinely if an assemble must follow and consecrate on the Bible and follow the doctirne. Prayers: Lord, grant me grace not to serve as a deterrent but an instructor onto righteousness with an exemplified life. Give me more grace to learn of You. In Jesus name. Amen. Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:9, 11 Apem@gmail All Copyrights Reserved DS01102014 We wish you a happy Tuesday
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 23:38:04 +0000
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