For instance, family usually refuses to withdraw from family, and friends often will not withdraw from friends. Still, there are many other associations among Christian family members and friends, which if curtailed due to others' unfaithfulness could encourage repentance. Finally, withdrawal of fellowship, or discipline of any kind, is too frequently omitted altogether, or put off so long that people's consciences are seared and they cannot be recovered. Christians desperately need to develop a close personal fellowship and practice church discipline when necessary. Besides the joys and blessings inherent in Christian fellowship, it provides a safety valve by means of withdrawal of fellowship should one become unfaithful.
Fellowship is essential to effective withdrawal of fellowship.
Disdain for lawful authority and laxity in appropriate, consistent discipline has nearly ruined our nation. The same deficient attitudes are also directly responsible for much of what has in the past plagued and presently buffets the Lord's church from within. In order for the New Testament church to survive, it must accept the responsibility to police itself. In order for a contemporary congregation to indeed be or remain identical to the church of the Bible, it must adopt all the identifying characteristics of our Lord's church including biblical discipline.