DISCIPLINE by the assembly has also a two-fold character, which may be described as internal and external. In the ordering of our families, we chasten the offender inside before resorting to the extreme measure of expelling him, and a similar order is laid down for the saints in the word of God.
Turn to 2 Thess. 3:6-156Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:6‑15). Here we have the apostle commanding the brethren to withdraw themselves from every brother walking disorderly, contrary to instructions received. This does not at all mean exclusion from the fellowship of the assembly, for their careless walk had not yet led them into open sin, but the persons were to be disciplined within. Their company was not to be cultivated, that they might become ashamed of their ways. Such were not to be treated as enemies, but admonished in a brotherly manner, for the good of their souls. To deal rightly in such cases as these calls for much spiritual wisdom and discernment. Flesh is apt to take advantage of what is holy and of God for the furtherance of its own prejudices and dislikes. This must be guarded against. In dealing with erring saints, we are acting for God, not for ourselves, and everything must be carried out in a manner conducive to His glory. If this character of discipline were better understood and exercised in faith, it would probably spare us the sorrow and shame of the more extreme act of putting away.
Rom. 16:17-18,17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17‑18) and Titus 3:10-11,10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:10‑11) also refer to internal discipline, though dealing with a wholly different matter. Here it is no question of disorderly walk, but of party making amongst the saints of God. The apostle commands Titus to admonish such twice, and failing godly repentance, to avoid them. The brethren at large are to mark them and shun them. Paul acts upon the principle that if there were no followers, there would soon be no leaders. Flattery and hero worship are fatal to the fellowship of the church of God. They lead to the undue exaltation of particular servants of Christ, to the disparagement of others, equally, if not more truly, sent of God. Paul suffered much from this in his day, and many a faithful man has groaned over the same evil since. Let us earnestly heed the exhortations of the apostle in this matter. Wherever it is evident that the aim is to make a party, and to constitute one or more servants of Christ a kind of center, let us show our hearty disapproval of their evil by a complete avoidance of them. This is at once good for their souls, and for the saints at large, and for the divine glory.
External discipline has to be resorted to sometimes. 1 Cor. 5 is a solemn instance. There was a fornicator in the assembly. So bad was the condition of the saints in general that they were not even mourning about the matter. The apostle pressed upon the assembly its responsibility to act for God with regard to the evil. The assembly is an unleavened lump in the sight of God, and this character it is responsible to maintain in the world. Leaven must be purged out, or it will impart a character to the whole, as we read, “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” The saints cannot well avoid having dealings with evil men in the world, but in the holy circle of God’s assembly they must not be allowed a place. God is the judge of those without, but those within, the assembly is bound to judge when evil manifests itself in them. This must be the united act of the assembly— “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together.” Leading men, however wise and spiritual, must not act for the whole company in this, as it is of the highest importance that all consciences should be exercised, and that all should reject with holy abhorrence the sin which has intruded itself among them.
The exhortation is, “Put away from among yourselves the wicked person.” This goes far beyond putting away from the Lord’s table (though it involves it); it means exclusion from the Christian circle in every way. If a person is dealt with ecclesiastically and yet admitted to social intercourse, of what value is the discipline, and what power is it likely to have upon the conscience of the transgressor? We must be thorough in all that concerns the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a further act spoken of in 1 Cor. 5, which seems to require apostolic power— “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.” (See also 1 Tim. 1:2020Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20).) In the absence of apostles, no company of saints may pretend to this, but the responsibility to put away evil ever abides, in consistency with the holiness of the One after Whom the church is called.
Evil of a doctrinal character is dealt with in 2 John and Rev. 2:14,14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Revelation 2:14) and its working is described in Gal. 5:99A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9). The assembly of God is not only to guard holiness in all its individual members, but the glory of Christ’s person and work must be maintained unsullied. A deceiver and antichrist is not eligible for a place at the table of a Christian lady and her children, how much less at the table of the Lord! In the epistles to the seven churches we have to listen to the Lord’s solemn rebuke of those who tolerated false and corrupt teachers in their midst. How lightly is this regarded today! How few comparatively care for the Lord’s honor in this respect! The indifferent spirit of Laodicea is spreading itself in every direction, and will soon bring down upon itself the Lord’s solemn judgment. May He give grace to us to be faithful to His name and word until the end! W.W.F.