"This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow." (2 Corinthians 2:6, 7)
Paul is writing here of the stern discipline which he enjoined the Church in Corinth to extend to a "fallen" brother.
This is perhaps the most difficult part of Church life. Most congregations just choose to ignore or avoid discipline all together. There were two times in the years in pastoral service where I had to "take action" with manifest sin. There was no repentance, and I had to tell them to leave the church. The important thing is that I did it for the welfare of the Church. Incidentally, both were quite well off financially.
Notice in our text that the person disciplined was still in the Church at Corinth. Apparently there was repentance, and now Paul was admonishing the Church, "to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow." This is pastoral ministry, and the life style of those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes." Restoration is a central "tenet" of the Church.
This is our Lord Jesus Christ, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." This is the presence of Jesus in His Followers, viz., forgiveness with the admonition to, "change life style." So many want forgiveness, but are unwilling to, "go and sin no more." In the Church of Jesus Christ, there is not "one without the other." The forgiveness of the Cross is based on repentance. Though this is not popular evangelicalism, it is nonetheless the teachings of Jesus Christ.
To forgive humanity without the command to, "go and sin no more," is to deny the power of, "Sin shall not have the dominion over you." The old hymn says, "He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His Blood can make the foulest clean, His Blood availed for me." If ever there was good news, this is "Good News."
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to live and pass on to others, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Amen.
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I will be leaving tomorrow around 12:30 for the "march" in New York City. Any prayers appreciated.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
