And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Albert Barnes writes, “… so afflicted and troubled as to take the proper means for removing the offence. The word “mourn” here is taken in that large sense. Ye have not been “so much” afflicted - so troubled with the existence of this wickedness, as to take the proper measures to remove the offender - Acts of discipline in the church should always commence with mourning that there is occasion for it. …. He should not, while he continues in this state, be allowed to remain in your communion.”
It is a painful thing, an affliction, whenever a person for whatever reason must be taken away from the fellowship of the church. Painful enough that in many instances Christians choose not to do it.
We find ourselves in a time when practicing what Paul preached in this text is considered legalism. People revel in liberty. The “come as you are” mentality is so prevalent that it’s considered unloving and unchristian to expect Christians to live above reproach.
We truly are puffed up. We reject affliction and accept anything tends to welcome people into our ranks. This glorying is not good, does not glorify the Lord, and will lead eventually to the doom of the Christian faith as we know it.
The one redeeming fact is that Christ said it would be so and when He comes again, He’ll restore all things to Himself.[1]
#ChurchDiscipline #LiveAboveReproach #BiblicalStandards #SpiritualIntegrity #FaithfulLiving
Liberty and Legalism: The Painful Necessity of Church Discipline
[1] Acts 3:21 (KJV)
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
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