Title: Counter-Culture Relationships/ Topic: Church Discipline

Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Observation: The Bible's teaching on relating to those in the church who are rebellious to the instructions of the apostles is extremely counter-culture. I must say, I don't really like or feel comfortable with it. It's just not nice to exclude someone to teach them a lesson. It's clear that that is what the objective is because Paul emphasizes that he is not to be considered an enemy; this action is to be taken as a warning to him. The fellowship and love in the church was so precious (as it should be today also) that being excluded from it for sinful behavior was wake-up call to the errant believer to change his ways. It also kept the Church from charges of hypocrisy. If the world saw the church disciplining members that were engaged in what they said was sinful, then they truly backed up with action what they preached.

Application: I don't get to choose to do only the parts of the Bible I like. Even when it is counter-culture, the Word has the final authority and I must conform to it, not the other way round. We need to embrace church discipline even if it means we lose members. And we will lose members precisely because it is counter-culture. Anyone who is judged in this way today would simply pack their bags and go to another “less judgmental” church. That does not absolve us of the responsibility to act in accordance with the Word on this, or any other subject.

Prayer: Father, help me and all of your Church to understand that we must conform our lives to your Word whether we like what it says or not. Help us to see your purpose in all of it, even if we don't understand the “whys” immediately. Let us trust you because of who you are when our understanding may not grasp the reasons behind certain instructions. May we please you in all things.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.