Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
As we see the erosion of morality in our country today some in the church wonder how we got here, but there are those, also, who feel that it doesn’t really matter. It is a sad thing to hear a christian say let them live how they want, it’s their choice and has no effect on me and is none of my business. But what they don’t seem to notice is the decline of the church, not only in influence, but in power as well because of this attitude. The church has become a weak entity in society today and it seems that few christians even care. For many church has become the thing your supposed to do on Sunday mornings, or as a social club that is for doing fun activities. However, the question really is, what is the true function of the church in society and in one’s personal life? How are we to deal with others in the church? The Bible has a lot to say, not only, about how we are to treat unbelievers, but other believers as well. This is not intended to be an exhaustive study but is intended to get the reader to think and study out for themselves what the Bible truly says about this subject.
The scriptures are very clear on the importance of the church. It is the vehicle with which God uses to reach and help people. As the world gets worse it is God’s lifeline to those who need direction in life whether saved or not. So how does this lifeline work?
First, it is to tell others about the Lord Jesus and what He did for the world. Jesus said to GO and to TEACH all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). This is not a suggestion but a command. And yet there are those that believe we should not share our beliefs with the lost, because it may offend them, or maybe what they believe is good enough; or even that they should come to us with questions first. It is through us God has chosen to reach people, Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And, 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. If we neglect to tell them and wait for them to come to us with questions first, they may never hear the gospel message. It is pretty simple, Jesus said to GO!
Second, the purpose of church in the believer’s walk is two-fold, to encourage and to direct us in our walk with God, and to deal with sin in the believer’s life. Let’s look first at how we in the church are to respond to those who are unrepentant of their sin as a christian. When it comes to disobedient believers, many christians don’t know what to do. There are many who won’t say anything to a believer who isn’t walking according to scripture because they are afraid of the person saying they are just being hypocritical judges infringing on that person’s personal liberty. However; God has given us a protocol on how to deal with those individuals. Jesus said in 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. 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. 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. Also, Paul said in 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. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. It may seem harsh but when we follow scripture, we are not judging but being obedient to what the Bible says to do, God has told us how to deal with these situations, and we are abiding by what God has told us to do in dealing with these believers, it is as much for our benefit as the individual being dealt with, as long as we do it in the right spirit. Next, if we deal with our sin properly we are not hypocrites, as the scripture says take care of your sin first and then you can help another, but guard your heart that sin doesn’t come back in as you are helping them, Matt. 7:3-5; Galatians 6:1.
Dealing with the believers sin the area of church discipline, if it goes to that level, is also controversial because of the seemingly harsh way the Bible says to deal with those who refuse to give up their sin, especially a publicly known sin. Not only are we not to socialize with them but they are not allowed back at church while unrepentant, 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 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. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 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, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. This is what Paul dealt with when it came to the church at Corinth. They had become so liberal and so “pro-liberty” that it really didn’t matter how people lived or what they did, the church just looked the other way. Paul had to remind them that not only are we to act a certain way in church, but we are to act a certain way out of church as well; and as a part of the church we are accountable to the church. The church is God’s way of dealing with disobedient believers; otherwise, he would not have given the church the instructions on how to perform church discipline. We sometimes get caught in the lie that it is only God who deals with people’s sin and it is none of our business or the church’s, but the scriptures are clear that part of God’s discipline of the disobedient believer is their separation from the church and fellowship with other believers. However; Paul also made it clear that God’s purpose for this discipline is to bring the disobedient one into a right relationship with Him and then lead to reconciliation and restoration in the church, and a right kind of fellowship with others. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Church discipline is not to be a permanent sentence but a tool to help those that satan has deceived come back to a proper walk with the Lord. If one has truly repented, God forgives and restores the relationship with them and so should we. Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Finally, it is to bear one another’s burdens, Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Even Christ relied on others to be there for Him. We see this in the way He would keep Peter, James, and John near Him, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. We as believers were not created or called to be an island. We need the help of others to make it in life, especially in the days we now live. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Whether it be decisions, health, or sin in our lives God has given us a lifeline to help us through it, the local church. As we see more and more believers going outside God’s lifeline we will continue to see the churches in this country lose power, struggle, and die. A possible result of this will be the decay and maybe even the destruction of this country and its influence in the world. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. This is the answer to our problems in the church. If we would follow this verse, we would see the church revitalize and may even see revival in them. The church is God’s institution of comfort, care, and even correction in this world for a christian. The question is whether we will do as God wills for us or if we will try to dictate to God what terms we want to follow. What does the church mean to you and are you using the resources God has provided for you in and through the church? It may not fix all our problems, but it will lighten the load.
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