Matthew 18:15-20 - "Church Discipline"

Christ has been preaching about His concern for the
little ones in Matthew 18. He has just told us how the
Shepherd is so concerned for one straying sheep that
He will leave the ninety-nine to go pursue it. That is
what church discipline is – the Shepherd's heart to
correct and restore the straying one. God's way of
achieving restoration runs contrary to the sentimental
and therapeutic sensibilities of our age. But it is Christ,
not man, who is building His church, so we must follow
the instructions we are given instead of presume to
create our own. We have seen a concern for correction
but also for gentleness. There are steps of increasing
seriousness as open sin is rooted from the camp, but
each step is committed to using as little force as
possible. The need to increase the pressure lies with
the offender and not the offended; impenitence leads
to further measures but softness of heart and
repentance leads to restoration and reconciliation. The
charge for each one of us is to have the gracious
courage to live up to Jesus's words. Let us not presume
to be sheep who are wiser than the Shepherd. Let us
have the grace and humility to always deal seriously, yet
graciously with straying brothers and sisters. And may it
always be done with restoration as the purpose. Christ
will bind us together as we work for the good of His
people and the glory of His name.