Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran
pastor and theologian. He was also a participant in the German Resistance
movement against Nazism, a founding member of the Confessing Church. His
involvement in plans by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence
Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and
his subsequent execution by hanging in April 1945, shortly before the war's
end. His view of Christianity's role in the secular world has become very
influential.
He wrote the following on church
discipline. It is a classic:
“Reproof is unavoidable. God’s Word demands it
when a brother falls into open sin. The practice of discipline in the
congregation begins in the smallest circles. Where defection from God’s Word in
doctrine or life imperils the family fellowship and with it the whole
congregation, the word of admonition and rebuke must be ventured. Nothing can
be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can
be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the
path of sin. It is a ministry of mercy, an ultimate offer of genuine
fellowship, when we allow nothing but God’s Word to stand between us, judging
and succoring. Then it is not we who are judging; God alone judges, and God’s
judgment is helpful and healing. Ultimately, we have no charge but to serve our
brother, never to set ourselves above him, and we serve him even when we must
speak the judging and dividing Word of God to him, even when, in obedience to
God, we must break off fellowship with him. We must know that it is not our
human love which makes us loyal to the other person, but God’s love which
breaks its way through to him only through judgment. Just because God’s Word
judges, it serves the person. He who accepts the ministry of God’s judgment is
helped.”
In Part 1, we examined what Paul said
concerning a man who was sleeping with his stepmother in 1 Corinthians 5. Now
let’s go to another passage in which Paul deals with those who are lazy found
in 2 Thessalonians 3.
Here is the context. In the Thessalonian church, there were some
who were lazy and got into other people’s business (v. 11). Paul referred to this as an “undisciplined
life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” Here Paul is using a play on words and is actually
saying, “Some that are not busy in their own business (they have no
employment), but they are over-busy in other people’s business” (i.e nosy).
So what is Paul’s solution as to what ought to
be done with such people?
First, “if anyone will not work, neither let
him eat” (v. 10).
Second, “do not associate with him so that he
may be put to shame” (v. 14).
Sounds sort of like what Paul said in 1
Corinthians 5 concerning the man who was sleeping with his stepmom. Sort of, but not quite.
Here are some observations we need to bear in
mind:
First, immorality such as sleeping with one’s
stepmother and laziness are both considered sins and have as an outcome “dissociation”
as a means of disciplining the sinner.
Now we’re going from one side of the extreme to
the other. Sleeping with your stepmother is an extreme form of sin. Laziness is
not as extreme. Yet both are handled in virtually the same way – disassociation!
Now remember, this is only after several
attempts have been made to try to counsel and restore the person in question.
The Bible does not encourage throwing out anyone upon the first instance of
their guilt. When a brother or sister sins, members of the church who have such
knowledge go to the person in private and prayerfully seek to help the person
back home into the fellowship with God and those whom have been offended. It is
only after multiple attempts have been made unsuccessfully, that it leads to
the offender being asked to leave or disassociation.
Second, this form of church discipline is not
to be done in a general manner, but specific. Note that Paul says in verse 14, “take
special note of that man.” What does he mean?
Name him.
Point him out.
Expose him.
Stop associating with him
Why? That he (only the offender) will be put to
shame (v. 14b).
“Pastor Rich, that is so cruel!”
You know what cruel is? Watch this. Follow Paul’s thoughts on this.
v. 15: “And do not regard him as an enemy, but
admonish him as a brother.”
Now watch – Paul says, “When you name the
person” (point out the offender), and when you tell him, “you refuse to work,
then you don’t eat” (i.e. enjoy certain privileges that come from working), and
you “do not associate with him,” so as to “put him to shame,” you are treating
him or her like a family member!
This would imply that if you refuse to do these
things, then you are no longer treating the offender as a brother (a member of
your spiritual Ohana), but as an enemy.
You see, we got things backwards. We think, “Oh,
we need to embrace them and their sin, show love and forgiveness, and do all we
can not to make them feel shame and not part of our group.” According to Paul,
that is treating him like an ENEMY!
However, to treat such a person like a brother, you exercise tough love
which embraces the truth and stop associating with him so as to put him to
shame (make him feel rotten!). God will
use such things as the means to bring conviction and restoration.
In other words, we often times thwart the work
of God in the lives of sinning saints by getting in the way. For heaven sake,
get your feelings and yourself out of the way of God doing what He does best.
Do you think that you know more than God knows? Do you think you have a better
handle on how to bring about restoration to a sinning saint more than God is
able? Do you think that God needs your help? You are often times simply in the way
and by being the way, you are making matters worse! Your feelings are dictating
what you consider to be right rather than the knowledge of God’s word that clearly
spells out what we ought to do.
Third, in 1 Corinthians 5 we have excommunication. Paul says to remove the person from your
midst (v. 13) and consider him to be a “so-called brother” (v. 11). This is another way of saying, “possibly a
Christian, but one whose salvation is in doubt.” This person who is engaged in a immoral sin is
to be removed.
But with the Thessalonians, all we have is
person who is lazy. Don’t kick him out
of the fellowship. Just point him out
and his sin, disassociate with him, and put him to shame.
“But what if he leaves?” Then let him leave. He is in everyone else’s
poi. Leaving may be a good thing in
order to accomplish a bigger blessing – His restoration. The primary thing is
to follow the Bible and get out of the way.
End of Part 2
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