There is a big push in the evangelical world today to extinguish the teachings of some of the Bible by means of other teachings of the Bible.
This is nothing new. If mankind can be said to have excelled at anything, we have excelled in the justification of our actions.
I can understand this approach in the world, and even expect it, but it grieves me to see it in the church. Just this week I read about yet another once faithful minister apologizing for teaching an “offensive” teaching from the Bible.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times that I am guilty of teaching the right thing the wrong way and need to apologize for the way I’ve taught what I’ve taught. But I emphatically will not apologize for what the Word of God says.
This week, we’ll be looking at a text that is all but disregarded in the church today. Why? Because it deals with the discipline of God’s children.
I hear non-Biblical arguments that sound like this: “Who am I to discipline anyone?” The Bible teaches that if you are a Christian it is your responsibility to take part in the discipline process.
That’s not the only requirement though. The Bible also teaches us that when we correct a fellow believer that it must be done in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1), after we first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:5), and of course not neglecting to …treat people the same way you want them to treat you… (Matthew 7:12).
Those are good starting points before we talk to a brother or sister about their sin, but you will find no scripture that let’s you off of the hook for talking to them.
But some will make the seemingly Biblical argument: “What about that verse that says, ‘Do not judge so that you will not be judged’”?
Even in the asking of the question they fail to recognize that immediately after Jesus says that, which is Matthew 7:1, he immediately says in verses 2-5, 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
We clearly see, when we look at the full context, that Jesus isn’t teaching us to not judge, but rather to be very careful how we judge. In warning us he teaches that if we use a harsh judgement, we will receive the same. He then teaches us that before we judge and confront our brother, we should first judge and confront ourselves. And why? So that …then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
The heart of the teaching about Biblical discipline is two-fold, and I will expand upon this teaching in the sermon – one, we practice discipline because we love our brothers and sisters and only want what’s best for them. Two, we practice discipline because God commands His people to be holy, not to be mistaken with happy.
The biggest plus for you and me is that the holier we live, the happier we become. And who doesn’t want that?
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
