Command 30 : Go to Offenders | Day 210

Seek Restoration!

The danger of exercising church discipline on a fellow believer is the tendency to close our spirits to him and forget about him. This probably would have happened to the immoral man in the Corinthian church had not Paul intervened with some very clear, firm instructions. The man indeed had committed a horrible sin—a sin that was so despicable that even the heathen did not commit it. (See I Corinthians 5.) Action had to be taken to cut off this leaven of hypocrisy from the church fellowship before it corrupted the entire congregation.

Paul ordered that the man be excommunicated and delivered over to Satan for the destruction of his body, but Paul also made a point of staying informed about him because he valued the man's soul and spirit. Therefore, after a year of being shunned by other believers, Paul discerned that the man had fully repented and could become overcome with grief and bitterness if something was not done quickly to restore him to fellowship with the other believers.

Thus, Paul wrote, “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” (II Corinthians 2:6-8).

The proof of our genuine love for a disciplined brother is in our faithfulness to watch for his repentance and restore him.

The ultimate example of earnest appeals, loving discipline, and patient waiting for restoration is seen in God's dealings with the nation of Israel. When Israel offended God by breaking His laws and worshiping other gods, the Lord sent prophets to appeal to them. When these were rejected, He sent more prophets. Finally, God sent His own Son.

The prophets were God's witnesses. When Israel rejected them, He sent more witnesses. When Jesus came, He represented the Church since He is the Head of the Church. When Israel rejected Christ, they were treated as heathens and publicans. However, God is patiently waiting for their repentance and eagerly desires to fully restore them, as well as every sinner, to Himself. (See Romans 11:26.)

The prodigal son demonstrates the consequences of being cut off and the loving restoration that occurs when there is repentance.

Church discipline is effective only when all of the members recognize the necessity of it and agree together to seek the offender's greater good by ceasing to fellowship with him until he is brought to repentance. This discipline is a demonstration of genuine love for the offender, as well as hatred of his sin. Because its purpose is to bring about reform, not ruin in the individual's life, full fellowship with him should be restored once he repents. God's desire is that there would be unity among all the members of the Body of Christ, so that the world will know that the Father sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. (See John 17:21-23.)

In your journal this week, write out the name and offense of one who has wronged you. Then, list the steps that you will take to go to this offender. Humbly tell him his offense and seek to restore your relationship with him. The results will be a powerful chapter in your life message and will provide an example for many others to follow.