The Church as a Regulatory Body

In the past couple weeks, we've been looking at different aspects of the church -- as the Body of Christ, as a worship community, as a family.... Now I'd like to examine one that has become somewhat less popular of late, as it departs from the warm soft and fuzzy ideas that we sometimes like to keep our faith tied up in.

"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen {to you} take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
           - Matthew 18:15-17

Jesus calls the church to have, among others, a role in turning people back from sin. We are instructed that, should someone be committing a sin, if it can be dealt with privately, it should be -- but if not, then the church is supposed to get involved. Likewise, John praises those who are able to turn others from their sins and back to God's law.

That sometimes goes against what we think is acceptable -- we have a society in which it's unacceptable to suggest that something might be wrong. Everything is merely an alternative, everyone's views and choices have to be respected. And yes, the example the Bible gives says that we don't force our beliefs on others. But it also says that those who are called by the name Christian are called to live up to that name. There, we can and must speak up.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
           - Proverbs 27:6

It doesn't seem nice, to tell someone that what they're doing is wrong. But Proverbs tells us that a true friend is going to express it anyway -- if someone is really your friend, they will act to help you, even if it hurts. It's not pleasant to be told that you're out of line -- but you're unlikely to get in line until someone mentions it. Meanwhile, the proverb says that enemies are going to kiss up and say nice things even when they're not warranted.

The church is called to be the instrument of truth in a world that doesn't always care to hear it. This is not limited merely to the carrying of the message of the Gospel or the social insistence on justice, but also a self-regulation. The church is called on to tell Christians when they're living in a way that is inconsistent with their professed faith.

"My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
           - James 5:19-20