Scripture to Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
To lovingly discipline a brother or sister in Christ is incredibly difficult. Many believers try to steer clear of lovingly disciplining another believer. We usually avoid lovingly disciplining another believer because we either feel inadequate or like we’re too judgmental. But God has given us specific commands about how we are to admonish the undisciplined. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us this command in Matthew 7:1-5. We must definitely examine our own lives first so that we are able to see clearly. This allows us to come alongside our Christian brother or sister and point out the area of their life that needs to be disciplined. God also gives us this command in Galatians 6:1-2. The reminder from God in Galatians is that we are to seek to restore the one who has sinned and to help bear their burden by loving our neighbor as ourselves. Today we read in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 that if a brother or sister is unwilling to obey God’s Word, we’re not to associate with them for a time. But God also commands us to treat them as a brother and not an enemy. This command in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 ties directly to Christ’s command in Matthew 18:15-17. We are to admonish our brother or sister living in sin lovingly, but if they are unwilling to listen, then we are to disassociate with them for a time so that hopefully they will repent and be restored into right fellowship in the body of Christ.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about admonishing another believer living in sin?
2. Who will you share with this week what God has so richly taught you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!