DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT SAVING SOULS
Collective discipline is so misunderstood and underutilized by Christians that it begs the question, do we really understand how discipline fits into God’s design for saving the soul? The deeper question is, do we believe and trust that God knows best? Discipline comes in many forms. It can be difficult to know exactly what to do or where to start. Fear of immediate consequences sometimes outweighs our fear of eternal consequences. In the cases where we fail to act, Satan always wins.
Discipline is motivated by love
The best illustration we have of discipline is in the home. We discipline our children because we are concerned for their wellbeing. Their physical and spiritual lives depend on it. Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” God disciplines because He loves His children. Hebrews 12:5-11 “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” God disciplines the children that He loves. He loves every child. So should we! Proverbs 13:24 NKJV 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Sinners will always question your motives, but it is God who will judge you.
The purpose of discipline is to produce godly sorrow that ultimately prompts repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”God’s motive is ALWAYS love and His expectation is ALWAYS repentance. Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Pride is at the root of all sin. Wounded pride is a dangerous beast that is likely to turn on anything that threatens it. Take heart, the sinner does not get to define love. That also belongs to God.
Discipline must be prompt to be effective
Blatant sin must be addressed immediately as the saints at Corinth were instructed. 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 NKJV 1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles–that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. It is far too late if we wait until hearts are hardened or souls have stopped attending to initiate discipline.
Division demanded by discipline is for our good
Division caused by sin is certainly a terrible thing. All divisions are painful. Separations instructed by the gospel are always right and work for our good. Ephesians 5:11 NKJV 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Paul instructed the Corinthians to purge out the old leaven 1 Corinthians 5:7. Matthew 18:17 NKJV 17 “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Romans 16:17 NKJV 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 1 Corinthians 5:11″But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14 “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.” “Titus 3:10 NKJV 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition. 2 John 1:10-11 NKJV 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. God’s children must separate themselves from sin. Our spiritual wellbeing depends on it.
Discipline is a continuous process
God expects humility and immediate repentance Revelation 3:19. However, it often takes time for the sinner to come to terms with their sinfulness and then to make the required corrections in their life. Salvation depends on doing works that demonstrate repentance Acts 26:20, Hebrews 6:1. The sooner we repent the more time we have to prove our penitence before judgment! God instructs the righteous to be patient and long-suffering just as He is 1 Thess 5:14, 2 Peter 3:9. Our own experience with raising children teaches us that discipline is an unending process. Consistency is key. We identify misbehaviors and initiate corrective action. We reinforce that love is the motive. We follow through with punishment. We accept and praise penitence. We continue to watch and encourage until the behavior is fully corrected.
All discipline is unpleasant, but discipline always produces the peaceable fruits of righteousness for those who learn from it. Discipline is all about saving souls!