Interestingly, the second time Jesus Christ mentions the word 'Church' He used it in regards to Church Spiritual Discipline and Accountability. The Church was the place for believers to hold each other accountable and by keeping to the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Mat 18:17 KJV And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.Jesus Christ foresaw a time that would come when there was no discipline and accountability in the Church, that the church would be taken over by what Jesus Christ referred to as wolves in sheep's skin. Therefore to ensure the continuity of the gospel of Truth, it was necessary that the believers held each other accountable to keep to the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.
While the context of the verse is on how to deal with conflicts between brethren as most commentaries have it, yet the another almost forgotten aspect is the attitude towards Church discipline and accountability in the Church. For example, Matthew Henry's Commentary offers the following thoughts on Matthew 18:17 centering around resolving offenses between brethren, which is very typical of most commentary on this verse...
“...Christ, having cautioned his disciples not to give offence, comes next to direct them what they must do in case of offences given them; which may be understood either of personal injuries, and then these directions are intended for the preserving of the peace of the church; or of public scandals, and then they are intended for the preserving of the purity and beauty of the church. Let us consider it both ways...Let us apply it to the quarrels that happen, upon any account, among Christians. If thy brother trespass against thee, by grieving thy soul (1 Co. 8:12), by affronting thee, or putting contempt or abuse upon thee; if he blemish thy good name by false reports or tale-bearing; if he encroach on thy rights, or be any way injurious to thee in thy estate; if he be guilty of any of those trespasses that are specified, Lev. 6:2, 3; if he transgress the laws of justice, charity, or relative duties; these are trespasses against us, and often happen among Christ’s disciples, and sometimes, for want of prudence, are of very mischievous consequence....” [1]However, Jesus Christ offers more than just resolving offenses between brethren but that motivation and attitude should be centered around forgiveness and reconciliation. Yet still most Church Discipline today is vindictive, vengeful, and unforgiving rather than seeking forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation as the goal. No wonder most Church Discipline and calls to Accountability today, fail.
So what should Christians do when a fellow christian sins or fails? What should the Church do when the preachers fail especially when it comes to Church doctrine? What should be the goal of Church Discipline and Accountability in the Church?
We see that Jesus Christ offers His word on how to settle conflicts, disputes, and sin among the brethren in the Church. This is how it ought to be done but with the spirit of reconciliation in mind rather than vengeance, retribution, and winning the debate. Modern day 20th century Commentary on the verse such as Walvoord and Zuck note the point of 'settling the matter at that first level' in their commentary of the New Testament...
“...18:15-20. The Lord had just spoken about offenses; now He talked about what should be done when known sin occurs. When a brother sins against another, the two of them should discuss the matter. If the matter can be settled at that level, there is no need for it to go any further...” [2]The whole context is forgiveness and reconciliation, yet exercising accountability with great seriousness. However, with the current state of affairs in the Church today, this passage has almost lost meaning on both sides of the offended and the offender as folks seek to use it as a means to vilification.
Mat 18:15-16 KJV Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
- First, do a one one one, go talk to the brother that has faulted you...
- Second, take two or three along with you and talk to your brother again...
- Thirdly, if the brother does not listen, then tell it to the Church...
- Fourth, if he will not listen then, treat him as a heathen...
We live in a society that wants quick results and thus what one preacher referred to as the “Microwave Generation” – a generation that wants instant results. We expect the fallen preacher to repent and be restored in the next two month, we expect the sinning brethren to be stop their habits within a day. The other is false repentance and false forgiveness as members of both parties are placed in haste to act, making their actions not out of heart but legalism. One of the reasons for such haste is because we are not interested in their walk with Jesus Christ but our image, the image of our organizations, our ministry image and how we look before the world. We try to clean ourselves of the mess quickly so we do not disrupt our Image.
So, the question is how do you treat heathens and tax collectors? I think the best example is Jesus Christ's approach...He died for all sinners, He dinned with the Tax Collectors and Sinners... It is important to note here that Jesus Christ chose to use the term 'Heathen and Publicans' or 'Gentiles and Tax Collectors for that matter. He could have chosen to use the term 'Pharisees'...
This is does not mean weakness when it comes to holding ourselves accountable to God's Word, no, no. Yes, we are to hold our leaders accountable to God's Word, we are to fully implement Church Discipline even if it means asking the Preacher or Pastor to step down and resign from ministerial role. We are to rightly confront the sinning brethren. We are not to be weak when it comes to Accountability in the Church, especially in light of the day and age in which we live when deception is replacing Truth on many pulpits.
This speaks volumes for those who are called into the Discernment Ministry in the Church, we do engage in calling leaders to accountability but we should check out motivation and be led by a Spirit that seeks forgiveness, Reconciliation and Restoration, rather than damnation. There are Pauls out there who are still Sauls and we have to be discerning between the real wolves and the Pauls who are still Sauls...in short, let us leave the issue of Damnation to God. I believe that Discernment should be ministered with Grace in the Church otherwise legalism and condemnation or damnation of people to hell results. The Lord knows those who will repent and those who won't.
On the contrary this means we are to be bold and strong when it comes to Church Discipline and Accountability but our attitude, motivation, and goal should be forgiveness and reconciliation rather than retribution, and vilification. There should be room for forgiveness and this in no way means that the implementation is easy, it gets messy but we should not be driven vengeance and damning those we deem sinners to hell. The question then is How would Jesus Christ treat the Tax Collectors and Heathen?
It is not surprising that Peter asks Jesus the following...
Mat 18:21 KJV Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?This verse is in context with the whole issue of discipline, accountability, and conflict resolution in the Church that Jesus Christ was talking about previously in the same chapter. Peter wanted to know how many times he had to forgive the sinning brother and Jesus Christ responded with the following...
Mat 18:22 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.Jesus Christ responded by stating that Peter and the rest of us have to forgive those who offend us seventy times seven. Wow! Was Jesus Christ contradicting His earlier message? No, in other words, retribution, vilification, hate, self righteousness have no place when it comes to implementing Church Discipline and Accountability rather Forgiveness and Reconciliation should be our motivation in Christ Jesus. As a matter of fact Jesus Christ illustrates His point further to Peter by giving this parable...
Mat 18:23-35 KJV Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. (26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (28) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. (29) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (31) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (32) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.The verses above remind us that we are all sinners and capable to sin and therefore when carrying out Church Discipline and calling for accountability, a little humility would do us good, remembering that we are just as capable to sin as the sinning brother.
The Church therefore is a place for accountability, a place where we should hold our selves accountable to God's word, to the Teachings of Jesus Christ. Out Motivation of Church Discipline and call for accountability should be based on forgiveness and reconciliation even as The Lord has given us a ministry of reconciliation – reconciling man to God through Jesus Christ.
Kato Mivule
To be Continued.
Notes
[1] Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Matthew 18." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 1 May 2010.
http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1613&commInfo=5&topic=Matthew
[2] John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament edition, David C Cook, Page 62, ISBN: 978-0-88207-8120
