It
is always a trial and a grief to an assembly of Christians when the extreme,
final step of discipline must be carried out in putting away a wicked person
from fellowship with God’s people. But thank God, there is a bright side when,
after faithfulness in the path of duty, there is the joy of seeing the wanderer
restored. We can almost feel the thrill of the apostle’s gladness as he wrote
of the recovered brother, “I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in
all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 7:4).
Praying for Restoration
Restoration
is what was prayed for, hoped for, expected. While one put away is to be left
alone, this does not preclude the thought of prayer for him, and looking after
him after the lapse of some time. Especially should this be done if he is weak
and untaught, and if he has bowed to the Lord’s judgment. Of course, those who
put a bold face on it, or who continue in sin, can only be left in God’s hands.
Looking for Marks of
Restoration
Marks
of true recovery are very plain. There will be a sense of sin against God (Psa.
51), a judging of the root of it, a submission to God’s governmental dealing,
even when undue severity may have been used by the saints; these are some of
the proofs of true recovery. If there was trespass against any, the wrong will
be righted as far as possible—the dishonest gains refunded, the bitter, false
accusations withdrawn; and, we need hardly add, the sin will be forsaken. Until
there is restoration to communion with God, there can be no true restoration to
the assembly. The steps in the reinstatement of the cleansed leper (Lev. 14) to
his privileges are interesting and instructive in this connection. It was the
priest who was to examine the healed man, and rites in his restoration are most
suggestive of recovery.
Being Restored to the Assembly
It
will be noticed that the leper, even after his restoration to the worship of
God, “remained abroad out of his tent seven days”; it suggests that even after
personal recovery an interval may elapse before the person is restored to his
privileges in the assembly. There are many reasons for this. If the offense has
been glaring or disgraceful, it is fitting that the world should see the
genuineness of the repentance. It will not hurt, but deepen in the individual a
sense of his sin. In addition to this, it is well to remember that the tender
consciences of the saints have been sorely wounded, and the offender will
gladly allow time for the healing of the shock inflicted. Anything like
insistence upon his immediate reception after confession, or resentment at
delay, would show that the work in his soul lacks completeness.
On
the other hand, the assembly needs to guard against a hard, unforgiving spirit.
When the consciences of all are satisfied, there should not be needless delay
in confirming their love to their recovered brother. “Sufficient to such a man
is this punishment that was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise you ought
rather to forgive him … lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with
overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that you would confirm your love
toward him” (2 Cor. 2:6-8). How gracious, how loving, and yet how holy, are all
these directions!
Walking Softly While
Restored Fully
Let
us add that when the restored brother is again in his place, his sin is not to
be remembered. True, he will not forget it; but shall the others, by
look or manner, betray lack of confidence? Ah, we are too much like the world,
which “forgives, but cannot forget.” Neither can we say such an one must keep
silence, and never again expect to be used of the Lord. It was Peter, the
wandering sheep, who was made a shepherd for others (John 21:15,17). When David
was restored he would teach transgressors God’s ways (Psa. 51). He will walk
softly the rest of his days, a chastened person, but a happy and a useful member
of the Body of Christ. “He restores my soul, He leads me in the paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psa. 23:3).
(From
The Church and Its Order According to Scripture.)