According
to Jesus, the steps of restoring a wayward brother or sister are threefold:
1. Private rebuke –
Matt. 18:15
2. Plural rebuke –
Matt. 18:16
3. Public rebuke –
Matt. 18:17
All
these steps are designed to restore the brother of sister who has chosen to
walk away from the Lord. These are divine God-given steps. We are not to come
up with any of our own. God does not need our help or suggestions. We are to
follow Him and be obedient to Him and what He prescribes as the best possible
remedy. Father God knows best.
Now
if after the third step – public rebuke – takes place and still the wayward
brother or sister does not see the light and repent, then Jesus said, “let him
be to you as a Gentile and tax-collector” (v. 17).
What
does Jesus mean by this?
The meaning of this expression is that he should be looked upon
as being outside the sphere of the church. Though he may be a true believer, he
is not living as one, and should therefore be treated accordingly. Though still
in the universal church, the body of Christ, he should be barred from the
privileges of the local church. Such discipline is a serious action; it
temporarily delivers a believer to the power of Satan "for the destruction
of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus"
(cf. 1 Cor. 5:5).
It
is also important to notice that the local assembly (the church) is the body
responsible to hear the case, not a civil court. The Christian is forbidden to
go to law against another believer (cf. 1 Cor. 6).
If
the defendant refuses to admit his wrong before the church, then he is to be
considered and treated as if he is an unbeliever.
The
purpose of this is to bring him to his senses and cause him to confess his sin.
Until that point is reached, believers should treat him with kindness, but should
also show by their attitude that they do not condone his sin and cannot have fellowship
with him as one would a fellow believer.
If
confession does occur on the part of the believer who went astray, the assembly
should be quick to receive him back, but only as soon as there is evidence of
godly repentance.
You
say, “Wow, Pastor Rich, by what authority gives anyone the right to do this?”
By
the authority of heaven itself. Look at what
Jesus said in verse 18: “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
In other words, when you follow these steps in
their logical and prescribed order, prayerfully, carefully and “looking to
yourself, lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1), Jesus said, “Heaven will back
you up!”
When you forbid someone from fellowship, heaven
is right behind you. When you permit
someone to re-enter the fellowship, heaven is right behind you. How’s that for authority?
And if that wasn’t enough to cause us to follow
what the Bible says, check out what Jesus further adds: Verse 19: “I also tell you this: If two
of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven
will do it for you.”
When the leaders come
together in prayer and are led by God having followed the above steps to ask a
person to leave the assembly, Jesus said, “My Father in heaven will do it for
you.” In other words, God will equip and
empower you to do His will.
And if the two above was
still not enough, Jesus adds this – Verse 20: “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Jesus says that my very presence is a sure sign I
am with, for and helping you all the way. You can count on me to be there for
you when you exercise proper church discipline.
Yes, sometimes it is necessary to lovingly tell
someone, “I’m sorry, you are no longer welcome here” only after the proper
steps to restore and win them have been exhausted. It is the biblical way to show the person you
are trying to win back to the Lord that you truly do care.
End of Series
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