Excommunication is not a pleasant thing to think about. Or discuss. It's often viewed as a vindictive punishment, and while it's true, it is a punishment, if it's used properly it isn't vindictive. In fact, if it's used with love (and yes, I admit the love aspect is often forgotten) it's restorative. Whatever excommunication is, it's a warning to get back in Gods good graces. I've never understood people who are in open apostasy from the church and complain about being excommunicated. If you don't agree with the church teachings-why not just resign?
This passage reminds us that excommunication has a basis in scripture. Clearly, it says that "if He repent not he will not be numbered among my people." The key word is "repent." I'm not sure how the excommunication process works. Amazingly, I haven't ben threatened with it yet. But you should be given every chance out there to repent, and if you still don't wish to do that, than the church doesn't seem to have a choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment