The action in a local congregation of withdrawing fellowship from unfaithful Christians is not a popular practice, as it is often viewed as cruel, harsh, judgmental and not very “Christ-like.” Granted, the withdrawing of fellowship is a very difficult and heart-wrenching thing to do, but does that mean it should not be done? Does that mean we should (perhaps even with “God’s blessing”) disregard this commandment of Holy Writ? We could ask, “What would Jesus do?” But, let’s consider an even more pertinent question, “What does Jesus do?”
In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us instructions to follow in dealing with an unfaithful brother or sister. The first step is to go to the erring brother directly and alone to discuss “his fault” (18:15). If he responds positively to your efforts, you’ve saved his soul (cf. Jas. 5:20) and “gained your brother.”
If the first step is ineffective, Jesus said that the second step is to “take with you one or two more” witnesses (18:16). Taking along objective companions, who are only interested in the truth and only want the best for all involved, conveys even more to the erring brother the seriousness of the matter and aids in further establishing the necessary actions.
The third step, in an effort to bring this brother back, is to “tell it to the church” (18:17), that all brethren might have awareness and opportunity to “turn him from the error of his way” (Jas. 5:19-20). “But if he refuses even to hear the church,” Jesus continues, “let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Fellowship with that brother is to be discontinued, in order that he might be ashamed (2 Thess. 3:14), and in order that his soul might be saved (1 Cor. 5:5).
Now, back to the question. In this whole process, which some would deem not very “Christ-like,” what does Jesus do? Note carefully Matthew 18:18-20.
The tense of the verbs in verse 18 emphasizes that the actions of the church, when they “bind” a withdraw of fellowship or “loose” a withdraw of fellowship (keep it in the context), are subsequent to actions that have already been taken in heaven. The New American Standard aptly translates the verb tenses, “…shall have been bound in heaven…shall have been loosed in heaven.” Jesus had withdrawn His fellowship first.
Now, keeping verse 20 in this context (it is so easy to quote this verse out of its context), note carefully what Jesus says. “For where two or three are gathered together” in an action of withdrawing fellowship…“in My name” to do that which I have authorized…“I am there in the midst of them” participating in and approving of the withdraw (cf. 1 Cor. 5:4).
Should we withdraw fellowship? Yes, it is Christ-like!