How should churches who affirm biblical truth regarding homosexuality handle gay members?
Yesterday I
addressed
the controversy generated by Watermark Church's decision to discipline a
gay member of its congregation. The continuing debate fostered by this
issue shows that it is not limited to one church or to the issue of
homosexuality. While I cannot explore this complicated subject fully in a
single article, I would like to offer this overview.
One: Church discipline is unpopular.
When the Watermark decision became public, the response was immediate
and strongly negative. I heard people ask, "Who do they think they are?
What right do they have to judge others?" Such questions are symptomatic
of a culture that has defined truth as personal and subjective.
Tolerance is the overriding value of our day. As a result, any attempts
to hold others accountable for biblical morality will be met with
derision.
In his excellent
Dallas Morning News column,
Watermark Pastor Todd Wagner stated that the church's decision "has
gained much attention online. Some are confused, even hurt and I
understand why. The practice of church discipline (which is to say,
loving correction) is a process that is unfamiliar to most and because
of the harshness of the word 'discipline' might even be perceived as
unloving, oppressive or archaic."
Christians who stand for biblical morality can expect opposition to
discipline, accountability, or even public statements that conflict with
the tolerance ethic of our day.
Two: Church discipline is biblical.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addressed "sexual immorality among you, and of a
kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his
father's wife" (v. 1). The apostle instructed the congregation to remove
the man from its fellowship (v. 5).
Jesus made clear the steps by which we are to confront sin (Matthew
18:15–17). As history shows, early Christians took such discipline very
seriously. Tragically, our tolerance-based society has caused many
churches to ignore this biblical imperative.
Three: Church discipline should focus on all unbiblical morality, not just same-sex behavior.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul went further: "I am writing to
you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is
guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler,
drunkard, or swindler" (1 Cor. 5:11). In a later list of vices we must
avoid, he included idolaters, adulterers, thieves, the greedy,
drunkards, revilers, and swindlers as well as "men who practice
homosexuality" (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).
Watermark does not single out homosexuality for spiritual discipline.
Neither should any other church or disciple of Jesus. We should hold
members accountable for heterosexual sin as well. Cohabiting,
pornography, and adultery are all unbiblical.
Four: Church discipline is intended to bring about repentance and restoration.
After Paul instructed the Corinthians to discipline a man who "has his
father's wife" (1 Cor. 5:1), the man repented of his sin. As a result,
the apostle encouraged the congregation to "turn to forgive and comfort
him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to
reaffirm your love for him" (2 Corinthians 2:7–8).
No sin exempts us from the Spirit's transformation. After listing nine
different behaviors we must avoid, Paul stated, "and such were some of
you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor.
6:11). Our Father intends all discipline to bring correction and
restoration. And all discipline is to be exercised with humility and
grace.
I believe God wants to redeem this controversy by calling churches to
teach and obey his truth regarding all sexuality. We must be different
before the world will want what we have. As we live biblically and love
graciously, others will be drawn to the Christ they see in us.
Christians are beggars helping beggars find the "bread of life" (John
6:35), knowing that whoever comes to Jesus "shall not hunger" (John
6:35). Is there a greater privilege?
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