On the Harshness of Accountability and Discipline

We don’t talk about church discipline much except for the stories of pastors who have abused it. We tend to stay out of each other’s business. We are awkward about confronting a friend face to face.  We are very comfortable with online criticism and partisan name-calling.  God cannot be pleased when we shout at our opponents but do not so much whisper when a friend is in sin. Yet the scripture says if we do so, we might “save a brother” and we are shown an example of how sin unchallenged can derail a church.

I am preaching through the first 9 chapters of Acts and I have arrived at Acts 5 and the most unpleasant story of Annanias and Sapphira. The church (big “C” church) is in its infancy. Lots of incredible stuff has happened. The gospel has been clearly preached. Presumably lives that were filled with guilt, shame, hurt, and sin were transformed by hearing the gospel in their own language, understanding the gift of grace and forgiveness–perhaps digesting one of my favorite verses in this section,

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20

So things are rocking along. People are humble and generous. Until they weren’t. Barnabas (one of my favorite characters in Acts) was apparently applauded for his generous gift of proceeds from a real estate deal and a married couple wanted to be applauded as well. Only they weren’t honest with the church, with church leaders. More importantly, they lied to God. So they died. That’s right. Dead as a post. We don’t know if they had a heart attack or some kind of aneurism or if God struck them dead. But they lied and they died. 

Many commentators lament and even criticize this episode for the lack of opportunity to repent and the seeming lack of compassion on the part of Peter. I see where they are coming from. I would have liked a do-over for this couple.  But I am reminded that sin has consequences.  

There are so many reasons that dealing with sin was critical for the infant church. Credibility. Standards. Right motivation. Mostly to rightly understand true discipleship. As Hosea said is his prophecy

“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me. Hosea 6:6 (TLB)

God didn’t need land or the proceeds from selling it. He wanted (and wants) His church to have integrity and humility and generosity that is motivated by a heart that breaks for what breaks His. When church members or pastors or politicians are involved in sinful choices, the behavior must be brought to light, either in the process described in Matthew 18 or publicly as it was here. One writer said that because the desire for accolades was so public, the accountability had to be public. 

I just know that I am learning that all things must be in the light. A trusted friend observed this week, “Sin has consequences and consequences are heavy.” It is painful for me to confess dumb things I have done, sinful choices I have made, unfortunate missteps I have committed. I have said things I should not have said, done things I should not have done, and failed to do things I should have done. It is embarrassing to have them brought into public view. But dealing with sin appears in Scripture to trigger the movement of God, both individually and corporately. Times of refreshing. Times of revival.

One source I read this week quoted Dr. J. Edwin Orr’s sermon, Revival is Like Judgment Day observing that the coming of revival is almost always marked by a radical work of God in dealing with the sins of believers. As we consider the painful reality of dealing communally and redemptively with the sins committed by our brothers and sisters, our leaders, and ourselves...is it possible that the short term pain is the long term gain of seeing God work among us in unusual and powerful ways?