DISCIPLINE CASES

DISCIPLINE CASES

As numbers increase, I find everywhere that the subject of discipline becomes the test of the assembly’s state, and of the spiritual power there. Discipline does not consist in getting rid of the offender, as one would a bone in one’s throat, though even in that simile every member would be interested and anxious for the removal of the bone. The apostle writes fifteen chapters to the church of God at Corinth, to awaken them to the fact that there was leaven in their midst, and this leaven was most palpable and incontrovertible. The patience of grace to get the assembly so to feel the leaven, was beautiful, and hence the assembly was wonderfully benefited when it was awakened to its evil state. “Yea, what clearing of yourselves, ... in all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7: 11). The apostle’s point was to awaken them to feel the leaven, and, with godly zeal, to clear themselves of it. Getting rid of an evil is not enough. It is the sense the assembly has of the ^[p. 87] damage from it, and hence practical renunciation of it. It is the same in the case of an individual. The stopping of an evil is not enough; this might be effected in many ways, but in true repentance there is the sense of how it is in the sight of God, and therefore there is taking God’s side against oneself. An assembly ought to throw off an evil, as a constitution would throw off a poison. There is a tax on the vitality, but there is an energy of life which succeeds. It is a great thing in ministry and in everything to lead on the assembly. It is the highest favour and greatest privilege on earth to be enabled to care for and serve the flock of God.