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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Song: “There’s A Great Day Coming”
Discipline is a necessary part of growth. A child without parental discipline not only hurts others, he hurts himself. Corrective discipline when administered by the people of God is for the good of the church and for the good of the one corrected. It’s necessary to the continued growth of each.
Discipline is administered with a view toward saving the soul of the erring. The hope is that by condemning the actions of the erring brother, delivering him to Satan, “his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
Discipline, when done properly, is an act of love and humility. The Corinthians’ failure to discipline was an act of arrogance (v. 2). They were either too selfish to get involved, too fearful to run the risk, or too open-minded to “judge” the offending brother. In either case, they were too proud to help a brother whose soul was in jeopardy. Love gets involved, runs the risk, and judges when necessary for the good of its object.
Discipline is done to prevent the spread of immorality. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” If the people of God tolerate the presence of ungodliness, soon the whole group is infected. Consent to wickedness is only a step away from participation in it. A small step.
Discipline is unpleasant, but necessary. And its wisdom is seen when it results in restored souls.
Jason Moore
