Church Discipline
423
Whatever the character of the offense, this does not change the
plan that God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and
personal injuries. Speaking alone and in the spirit of Christ to the
one who is in fault, will often remove the difficulty. Go to the erring
one, with a heart filled with Christ’s love and sympathy, and seek to
adjust the matter. Reason with him calmly and quietly. Let no angry
words escape your lips. Speak in a way that will appeal to his better
judgment. Remember the words, “He which converteth the sinner
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a
multitude of sins.” [
James 5:20
.]
Take to your brother the remedy that will cure the disease of disaf-
fection. Do your part to help him. For the sake of the peace and unity
of the church, feel it a privilege as well as a duty to do this. If he will
hear you, you have gained him as a friend.
All heaven is interested in the interview between the one who
has been injured and the one who is in error. As the erring one
[500]
accepts the reproof offered in the love of Christ, and acknowledges
his wrong, asking forgiveness from God and from his brother, the
sunshine of heaven fills his heart. The controversy is ended; friendship
and confidence are restored. The oil of love removes the soreness
caused by the wrong; the Spirit of God binds heart to heart; and there
is music in heaven over the union brought about.
As those thus united in Christian fellowship offer prayer to God,
and pledge themselves to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly
with God, great blessing comes to them. If they have wronged others,
they continue the work of repentance, confession, and restitution, fully
set to do good to one another. This is the fulfilling of the law of Christ.
“But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be estab-
lished.” Take with you those who are spiritually minded, and talk with
the one in error in regard to the wrong. He may yield to the united
appeals of his brethren. As he sees their agreement in the matter, his
mind may be enlightened.
“And if he shall neglect to hear them,” what then shall be done?
Shall a few persons in a board meeting take upon themselves the
responsibility of disfellowshiping the erring one? “If he shall neglect
to hear them, tell it unto the church.” Let the church take action in
regard to its members.