Spoiled Children - The growing rottenness of undisciplined Christians
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. In this article I would like to address the growing cancer that plagues Christendom today. It is a cancer that is not eating us from the outside but from the inside. It screams at us, kicks us and disrespects everything Christianity stands for. This cancer is the undisciplined Christian. The bible tells us,
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
We accept the fact of God's discipline in our daily life and in the life of every believer. We know that we as believers, if we do not walk according to the word of God will be chastened by the Lord. While this may be a fact we can not ignore that the Word of God places a responsibility on the Church and its leadership to discipline those who offend or live openly in sin. Here are some examples:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Titus 1:10-13 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. (2) And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. (3) For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, (4) In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (5) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
While it is evident that the bible clearly states that those who live unruly and without concern and respect to the Church are to be disciplined by the Church and in some cases avoided and kicked out, how often is that done in churches? Churches are no longer acting like the Church of God but rather a social club in which all are accepted as long as they pay their membership fees or attend the occasional gatherings. Churches are filled with people who are offensive, abusive and down right polluted with sins and the sins they have committed against others. It is not their fault though. Rather it is the fault of the Modern Day Church. When an offense occurs the Church is not taking the steps to address the offense. Offensive Christians are getting away with murder. When a concern is placed upon a member of the Church, the Christian moves on to another Church. Slowly bringing his offense and bad behavior to other Christians. When something must be addressed Church leaders are deciding to remain silent rather than to speak to the person for fear of losing them.
Church discipline is a reality and a must. Many strong biblical teachers and pastors will agree that a Mark of A TRUE Church is discipline. A Church that does not discipline is not a TRUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. This is a fact folks. The bibles says this to a Church that does not take action:
1 Corinthians 6:4-5 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. (5) I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
Churches that do not take serious the behaviors in a Church are truly not a Church. As a Pastor it is very easy to make a Sunday gathering an outreach instead of a time in which believers gather for instruction and encouragement to service. The behavior of those who gather, less those who visit must be taken serious, especially those who are offensive. Christians who call themselves Christians while living a reckless life, not only blemish the Church but the name of Christ and His teaching. Again the scriptures say this of those:
Romans 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
and again,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
While Churches that do not discipline believe they are doing a service by obtaining and keeping the disobedient, they do not see the damage that is being done in the background. They are raising spoiled children who are rotten and cause the offense of many. We save from leaving the Church only to condemn 100 others because of their behavior.
How should the Church discipline? The bible makes it very clear on how to discipline a member of the Church:
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Jude 1:21-23 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
1 John 5:16-17 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
In short the bible tells us to warn, to instruct, to call, to have compassion, mercy and have a truly sincere heart and desire for the sinning brother or sister to repent of their sin. That a persons very first step is to bring the sin to the sinners attention. NOT gossip, or point or complain and murmur but instead to privately bring it to their attention. If there is no resolution, one must then bring another brother. Not ignore it, or blow it off or not care anymore but the one who is offended, if no resolution has been made, MUST bring it to another brother in Christ for resolution. If anyone ignores offenses made to them, the offender may hurt someone else who is not as strong as you or even a new believer. If there are 2 or more people who agree that your concern is valid and they have consulted the offender with still no resolution, the issue must then be brought before the CHURCH. When it refers to the Church it means leaders of the Church. The Leaders of the Church in a council setting are called to sit with the offender and deal with the concern. In the event the offender after speaking with the offended, other Christians and the Church, still refuses to repent or see their fault and does not stop or resolve the issue, the offender must then be removed from the Fellowship. Such a person is under the judgement of God. There are couple of occasions the Bible speaks of such people:
1 Timothy 1:19-20 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (20) Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (15) Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
(*YOU CAN NOT SAY YOU LOVE GOD AND HATE YOUR BROTHER)
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
1 Corinthians 5:2-5 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. (3) For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, (4) In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (5) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 18:17-18 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The fact is no one likes to do the disciplining and no one likes to be disciplined. The last thing any church wants have is a group of people walking around pointing fingers and excommunicating one another. This is why certain steps are necessary to help discern and decipher from the less serious matters. A person not saying good morning to you or not stopping by to say hello, may easily be forgiven and overlooked, especially if the person did not know they did it. While a person who says something to you or does something to you that is obviously offensive should not be overlooked if such actions effect your relationship with them. With that said, Christians are NOT COMMANDED to do their own disciplining but rather to love one another. Follow the proper steps. Christians who do the silent treatment, ignoring, partiality and such who think that such a message will teach the offender a lesson is violating the commandment of God to love one another. The Duty of the Disciplining belongs to the Church not the individual. We are called to love, forgive and honor the Word of God and His Church.
- Pastor Michael Salman
