Tag: church discipline

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 24, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Thessalonians chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul was not afraid to ask churches to pray for him. His prayer requests were not selfish, but always centered on advancing the Gospel. Paul wanted to see God’s Word spread and impact people’s lives. He desired this for the Thessalonians too. He wanted to see them walking in the truth. Obedience is a mark of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that obedience is a demonstration of our love for God. The Bible also teaches that blessings follow obedience. The hymn writer penned it this way, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” Also, Paul wanted these believers to grow in the truth. He said, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT) Paul not only wanted believers to walk in the truth, and to grow in the truth, but also he wanted them to stand in the truth. Apparently, there were believers in the church that were not being faithful. They were living idle lives, refusing to work, and were meddling in other people’s business. Paul instructed the erring believers to settle down and work to earn their own living. He instructed the faithful believers to stand in the truth by staying away from all believers living contrary to the Word of God they had been taught. Paul said, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 NKJV)

Prayer: “Dear Father, may the Word of God have full effect in our lives, and may we walk, grow, and stand in the truth. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is I Corinthians chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God wants His church to bear His likeness. As His people we must strive to be holy as God is holy. The church at Corinth thought it was being spiritual by being tolerant of sin, but Paul warned them of this danger. Allowing the practice of sin causes sin to increase. When it comes to sin God’s people cannot be neutral. We must make a decisive stand. To protect His church God gave us the practice of church discipline. Church discipline is a forgotten doctrine in many churches today, but God intended it to be implemented. God’s purpose in discipline is restorative. According to Matthew there are three stages. First, go to the offender. Second, if there is no restoration then go to the offender with two or three witnesses. If the offender doesn’t repent then the final step involves the entire church. Paul said, “Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (I Corinthians 5:5) He says again, “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (I Corinthians 5:13b) Sin is like a cancer, if it is allowed to grow it will destroy.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, help us to be intolerant of sin especially in our own lives, use us to restore our brothers and sisters in Christ, and may we be motivated by love, in Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron