Usually churches only discipline members as a last resort in dealing with sin in their lives. While we should make every effort to disciple people before disciplining them, it’s not about giving up on people after we discipline them. We discipline with the hope of restoration (2 Cor. 2:5-11).
Remember the Resurrection and We Won’t Give Up on People But Seek Restoration
Remembering the love that drove Christ to die and be resurrected makes us hopeful. When we love as He loves, we have hope for love “always hopes” (1 Cor. 13:7).
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)
The resurrection helps us see people in a new light. If errant church members truly are believers, they are God’s new creation in Christ Jesus.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:16-17)
Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that people have a Power Source to change outside of themselves. If God can raise the dead, we can keep entrusting people to Him to work in their hearts.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength … (Eph. 1:18-20)
Pointing to the resurrection gives people a higher purpose for changing. It’s not just about the effects of sin on their own lives. We’re talking about the glory of God.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Rom. 6:4)
Having faith that people can be restored isn’t futile. It isn’t based on what we do to help them or their ability to change themselves. Restoration is possible because we have a God capable of raising the dead. That should give the needed motivation, perspective, perseverance, power and purpose.
For More, Go To: Resources about Resurrection Power
All Posts about Church Discipline:
- Church Discipline Because of Church Purpose
- Lack of Church Discipline Against God’s Purposes
- Church Discipline Must Exemplify God’s Purposes
- Involvement of Body in Church Discipline
- Body Life Can Prevent Need for Church Discipline
- Discipleship and Church Discipline
- Discipleship Not Church Discipline
- Holiness the Objective for Church Discipline
- Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body
- Holiness Dictates HOW We Exercise Church Discipline
- Authority & Power Needed in Church Discipline
- Pivotal Role of Holy Spirit in Church Discipline
- Church Discipline But They Didn’t Change
- The Standard for Conduct
- The Power of Grace in Church Discipline
- If His Name is Holy Then …
- Prayer is Essential as a Preventative and When in Process
- When Christians Need Correction
- God’s Word Brings Correction
- It’s Not About Giving Up on People
- Church Discipline is a Matter of Stewardship
- Leader Qualities in Church Discipline