The discipline exercised by the church of God should be a picture
of our heavenly Father's character.
A sober mind, a tender heart, a watchful spirit, should mark
those who put away the evil doer.
All God's corrections and judgments are designed to bring to
repentance. So likewise any censure pronounced by an assembly
of saints, while manifestly righteous, should be as a medicine
to restore, that the spirit may be saved in the day of Christ.
(1 Cor. 5:5.)
Paul says not to the Corinthians, when he reproves their evil,
"lest my God should humble you," but "lest my God should humble
me among you;" not "lest I should be wrathful and cut off many,"
but lest I should "bewail many which have sinned" (2 Cor. 12:21).
My brother, defiling himself, is my own hand touching pitch.
In this mind we are like Christ, who is touched with the feeling
of our infirmities, and is able to succour the tempted.
In how many instances, alas! where sharp or bitter reproof is
given, heavenly wisdom would deal in tender-hearted counsel and
admonition.
Col. 4:10 is a testimony that Mark was restored and stablished
after having forsaken Paul and Barnabas. We find him not with
Barnabas, but with Paul, who had so gravely judged his fault.
"Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee" (Prov. 9:8).
Let us imitate our Lord in His pity toward those who have erred
from His way; thus we best discountenance their sins, and help
them to make the confession that obtains forgiveness from God.
Carnal severity hardens the heart which might be won by heavenly
tenderness and compassion.
In the fellowship of saints' assemblies are many joys and many
comforts. It is not, however, a bed of roses; for it is in the
intercourse of that fellowship that the infirmities and faults
of believers especially appear. In the church's best state there
was always the flesh to be subdued, and Satan resisted. Hence
"forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, even also
do ye" (Col. 3:13).
Judgments of offences should be such as to commend themselves
to the common conscience. All are accountable to God for those
judgments.
The love of Christ filling our hearts, we shall be keen-sighted
to discern, whether in ourselves or others, whatsoever pleases
not the Lord. This love, and this love only, will enable us to
maintain the order and discipline of the house of God, so as
to be approved by the Son of God, the Lord of His own house.
We shall thereby, while observing the laws of Christ as to offending
brethren, be raised above the fear of man that bringeth a snare;
and, what is higher still, be free of false love, which spares
the rod when God would have us smite. Let the righteous smite
me; it shall be a kindness (Ps. 141:5). "Faithful are the wounds
of a friend" (Prov. 27:6).