Matthew 18: 15-20
“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. But 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.’ If 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.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
“Again, I tell you that two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.”
A Thought
Jesus is speaking to his disciples concerning keeping unity and harmony in the body of Christ. As believers in Christ we should be able to address any issues that happen between brothers in Christ by confronting each other in love face to face without others involved. If the issue is resolved, all is reconciled without any other brothers involved. If the issue is not resolved, two or three brothers should go with you as witnesses. Then and only then if the issue is not resolved, the church body should be told. If he then listens, he is fully restored in fellowship. If he still refuses to listen, he must no longer be treated as a member of the body. Whatever decision made by the church body will be true in heaven also. If his sin is corrected, he will be reconciled in the body and forgiven in heaven. If he refuses to repent, his sin will be held against him in heaven also.
When the church is in unity with God and each other, two or three can agree together and ask for anything to be done, Jesus will be there with them and it will be done by God the Father for the church. Thanks be to God.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your order in the church body working in unity and love for you and each other. Awaken each us to confront issues before they become an item of sin in the body of believers. Deliver us from the ways of the world and teach us to be open to correction and instruction to keep love and unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
