Passage Read: 2 Corinthians 12-13
Meditation Verse: 13:2
Thought
A church needs discipline. Believers need to put away sin and walk in righteousness. If there are those who are refusing to repent or putting too little effort into their obedience, they need to be rebuked. And if they will not change, they need to be disciplined by the whole. The people of God need to live and act like people of God. Paul has previously written about casting out the brother who sinned with his mother. In this letter, he has written of forgiving and welcoming back into fellowship one who had sinned, been cast out and finally come to his senses and repented. That is the goal. Not permanent exile, but a cutting off of fellowship until the person decides to truly repent. The church needs this, so that every believer understands his or her obligation to walk in holiness and righteousness.
Application
Holiness isn't something just for super Christians. It is expected and required of everyone who claims to believe in Jesus. Some need more help, some less. Some need stronger rebuke, some gentler. But the expectation is the same for all of us. I need to take pains to understand the standard by which Jesus expects me to live. I need to take pains to discipline myself so that others don't have to. I need to take pains to put away sinful behaviors and practice godly behaviors. And if I see another in sin, I need to care enough to warn him or her as a brother, if I have no other authority. But if I have more authority, I need to exercise it to gain the repentance of those who refuse to repent.