One of the primary goals of church discipline is the restoration of a sinning believer to fellowship with God and other parties directly affected by an offense (Matt.18:15-20; Gal.6:1). Other reasons include:
- Keeping the church pure in her worship (1 Cor.5:1-8)
- Bringing the authority of Christ to bear on the entire fellowship (2 Cor.2:9, 17)
- Aiding repentance by calling the offender back to salvation (2 Thess.3:14-15)
- Avoiding dishonor to the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor.11:27)
- Deterring others from sin (1 Tim.5:17-25)
- Preventing God from setting Himself against the local church (Rev.2:14-25; Heb.12:4-13)
However, if a person has demonstrated, by word and action, the desire to repent and be restored, thus proving to be a true believer (2 Cor.2:1-11; 7:5-13), the Apostle Paul admonishes us that restoration must take place. Otherwise, the offender will be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (2 Cor.2:7). The danger of not recovering a fallen, but repentant, brother or sister is that despair can swallow them, which Satan can use to keep them defeated without the hope of ever being restored. The question is: What does restoration look like and how is it done biblically.
First, restoration involves a personal and public affirmation of love. Paul urges us to reaffirm our love for the offender (2 Cor.2:8). To reaffirm literally means to confirm or to assure the offender of our love and make it a matter of certainty. Their sin, which has been forgiven, is not to be held over their head as an ongoing punishment. If the church has excommunicated the offender, this means the church must reinstate them to the fellowship publicly. However, it goes beyond this public affirmation to an ongoing, personal, brotherly affection that is to be extended.
Second, restoration involves not only a reaffirmation of love, but also a reinstatement to service. This depends on the areas of service where the offender was involved. God wants every believer to use his/her gifts as an act of obedience and stewardship (1 Pet.4:10). However, certain offices in the church, like that of a deacon or elder (pastor), require a character and lifestyle that are above reproach (1 Tim.3:2, 8), so that he will not be precluded from setting the highest standard for godly conduct. Leaders are to be models for the congregation to follow (Cf. Phil.3:17; 2 Thess.3:9; Heb.13:7; 1 Pet.5:3). Therefore, they must not give the enemies of the church a reason to attack its reputation, since they are special targets of Satan.
Outside of these two offices, an offender can be restored to places of service, however wisdom must be exercised. First, consider several things:
- Is the person healthy enough spiritually to resume such a role? Is it too early? Does the person need more time to recover?
- Would reinstatement to a former area of service be a stumbling block to others in the church?
- Have sufficient steps been taken to build and protect the restored brother or sister from future spiritual attacks and pitfalls?
Just as church discipline glorifies God by obeying Christ’s commands; restoration does so as well; possibly even more, because it highlights the spirit of love and humility, which characterize the heart of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.