Daily Devotional for Tuesday, June 17

The Authority for Discipline

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 5:4

There was a time when parents could authorize school administration and teachers to discipline their children. In addition to the standard disciplinary actions the school had in place, parents had the option of allowing the school to go as far as spanking their child if necessary. That is unheard of in today’s world! Discipline is lacking in our public school system and the teachers have little control in the classrooms. Unfortunately, it is the students who are suffering the most because discipline is necessary to learning and growth. What so many fail to understand today is that proper discipline is an act of love.

Discipline is necessary in the church as well. Jesus is the head of the church, and all authority has been given to Him by the Father above (Matthew 28:18). He has laid out plainly the way His people are to conduct themselves and a system to carry out church discipline in various situations. Discipline is carried out by the church when the body is gathered together, as stated by Paul to the church at Corinth. 

It is difficult to carry out church discipline because it hurts, and it should. When a member has turned away, it breaks our heart. However, we are commanded by Christ Himself to withdraw fellowship when necessary. We do so by the authority of the church, and by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s church that does not carry out church discipline will stunt their growth and impede the learning of those truly seeking to grow in the Lord. It causes confusion and breeds more sin. Let us not avoid the difficult task of church discipline but do so prayerfully, with love and grace in our hearts.

REFLECTION

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).

Darla Goodrum