Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. - Titus 3:10-11
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addressed the actions that should lead a church to discipline one of its members. The list of offenses that will result in being disfellowshipped is short and slightly ambiguous leaving room for the local church to determine the severity of the indiscretion.
Though "being divisive" or "sowing discord" is not in Paul's list for the church at Corinth, it is clearly included here in his letter to Pastor Titus. The pattern for addressing this particular offense appropriately matches Jesus' outline given in Matthew 18 and should probably be included. Obviously, unity is high on Jesus' list of healthy church qualities (John 17) and anything or anyone that threatens it must be confronted.
In recent decades, church discipline has usually taken a backseat to church growth in the West, but it may be seeing a resurgence among the more Scripturally-minded congregations. Yet, a renewed application of this practice comes with a warning. While true church health requires church discipline, it must always be biblical, loving, and work toward the restoration of the offender and the spiritual growth of the Body.
Any objection to the carryings on of our present gold-calf Christianity is met with the triumphant reply, "But we are winning them!" Winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross-carrying? To self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the flesh? To holy living? To hard self-discipline ? To love for God? To total committal to Christ? Of course the answer to all these questions is, "No." - Aiden Wilson Tozer
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