Discipline for Believers (Titus 3:10-11)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 11-09-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Discipline for believers

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Titus 3:10-11

 

            Message of the verse:  “10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.”  (NASB95)  “10 If anyone is causing division among you, give a first and second warning.  After that, have nothing more to do with that person.  11 For people like that have turned away from the truth.  They are sinning, and they condemn themselves.”  (NLT)

            These two verses are tied in with verse nine and the warning given in verses ten and eleven apply to those who were doing the things described in verse nine, however I am sure that they do apply to other types of sinning in the Church.  When a person is sinning in a way that he or she knows that they are doing wrong they are to be confronted by someone in the Church and if they refuse to repent then they are to be warned again and if they still do not repent then they are to be kicked out of the fellowship.  There are other places in the Bible that also teach about Church discipline.  (See Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17,18; 2Thess. 3:14,15)  When a person is disciplined it is for there own good and should be done in a spirit of love in order to bring one back to a right fellowship with the Lord and other believers.  Discipline is not to get even but to correct.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  These verses have spoken to my heart this morning because of something that happened last night.  I need to confront Dave about a situation that was discovered last night and I need the courage to do so in a way that will bring about a spirit of love and correction.

 

The Word of God has brought conviction and instruction to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  As stated before I need to trust the Lord to give me His strength and guidance to take care of this problem with Dave.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 11:33-35:  “33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?”