"… I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare …" (2 Cor. 13:2b).
In the previous chapter, Paul had expressed his deep concern about the church’s unrepentant sin. He had warned them on a number of occasions to turn from their sin, he had even exhorted the church to carry out disciplinary procedures on its own. They had complied in most cases as we learn from the beginning of this letter. But there were still some people who continued to practice deceit, slander, and sexual immorality. They refused to listen to Paul and deal with their sin, and they justified their unwillingness to submit to his authority by denying his apostleship. But Paul does not allow them to get away with this false charge. He warns them by saying, “You might think that I am weak and not a true apostle, but because of your sin, I will come again—but this time in judgment. Then you will see the power of Christ.”
Paul had the right to exercise church discipline on his own and to use miraculous powers in handing the person over to Satan (probably for physical affliction, i.e. Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1–11). He did not always exercise this power, preferring that the churches handle the situation, but in this case—because of the unrepentance of certain individuals—he would come in judgment, and that judgment would be based legally on the witnesses of others.
Even though there are no longer apostles in the church today, the church has been given the keys of the kingdom. It has been endowed by Christ to determine (judicially) who should be disciplined and excommunicated. In dealing with those who refuse to live according to God’s law and don’t care about pleasing Him, the church ultimately has the duty and the right to excommunicate them. Even though the church is wrought with weaknesses of its own, this authority and power is derived from Christ. Whenever we choose to sin, we should remember that judgment will not be with held forever. It is a needed warning to every professing Christian, even if you are in a church that does not exercise discipline as it should. Remember, Christ wields the ultimate sword of judgment. If you continue in unrepentant sin, you can be assured that you will not escape the judgment which is to come.
Take some time to consider any unrepentant sin that you have in your life. Be honest with yourself and with God. Allow the reality of judgment to bring conviction to your soul, that if you continue in sin you will prove that you were never a child of God. Confess your sin to God today and pray for the grace to live in purity and holiness.
