12-10-2009
How To Treat A Believer Who Sins
This passage of scripture is not the most positive topic to discuss, but it certainly provides great instruction to believers everywhere in dealing with conflict.
Matthew 18:15-20 says the following:
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will bebound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will beloosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
It’s important to take this advice in context. This is advice for believers in Christ, and this doesn’t mean we should go around confronting everyone when they sin. Moreover, this is advice for how we should respond when someone sins against us. In other words, take this advice if someone were to sin against you.
We’ve all had moments in our lives where we’ve been wronged, or at least felt that way. It’s important during these moments to use those opportunities to show God’s love. It’s easy to get upset and go down a destructive path. The hard thing to do is take the high road. As we reflect on the life of Jesus, he suffered punishment after punishment, yet never sinned. He was “wronged” on a regular basis, yet he continued to show God’s love. May we carry the cross of spreading God’s love in every circumstance!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 18:15-20
2. Show God’s love in the most difficult of circumstances
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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