The Attitude of a Restorer
Throughout this process, the attitude of those who are handling the issues of discipline are critical to its overall success. The leaders of the church are not to be judgmental, vindictive, or harsh in their approach to sinning members. On the contrary, the Bible is very clear about the attitudes that must be possessed by those enforcing discipline. These attitudes involve six aspects.
· The restorer must be motivated by love (Heb. l2:6; Rev. 3: 19; Eph 4: 15; 2 Thess. 3:15).
· The restorer must function with gentleness (1 Thess. 2: 1-9; Ps. 141:5).
· The restorer must have a spirit of meekness, recognizing that except for the grace of God, we would all be in trouble (Gal. 6:1-2).
· The restorer must be ready to extend mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:6-8).
· The restorer must have the heart of a father (1 Thess. 2: 10-12; l Cor. 4: 14-16).
· The restorer must reprove in wisdom (Prov. 25:2).
