Matthew 18:15-20 is incredible instruction in dealing with those who have sinned against us.

Furthermore, it is the gold standard for the process of church discipline of which the goal is always to be the restoration of someone walking in sin.

1. The one sinned against should first go alone and tell the other person of their fault. If they hear you, great! Forgive. Move on. Enjoy fellowship.
2. If they do not hear you, take two or more others with you and try to convince the person of their sin and the need to turn from it.
3. If they still refuse to repent, tell it to the church, and if the person refuses to hear the church treat them like a heathen and tax collector.

We are to break fellowship with the goal of causing the other person to miss the fellowship so much they are willing to turn from their sin.

Remember this is Jesus talking. So in breaking fellowship, and treating the other person like a heathen or tax collector, we know the intent is love for the soul and well-being of the other person.

Jews hearing Jesus teach would certainly understand how tax collectors and heathen were ostracized from the rest of society during Roman rule.

But the disciples had also seen, up close, the undeniable love Jesus had for tax collectors and sinners and His desire for them to walk away from sin and in sweet fellowship with other believers. Remember, Matthew was a former tax collector.

Jesus always spoke truth, but He did so in love and with the sinners’ soul in mind. We absolutely need to have this mind of Christ in us as we deal with others, especially those caught up in sin, and those sinning against us.

We need to check our thoughts and our actions against this standard. This way we can avoid bitterness that often comes when we’ve been offended.

And churches need to care enough about their flock to invoke church discipline when warranted. Is that a popular, fill the pew, kind of statement? No. But I’m so thankful for pastors who trust the Word of God enough to lead their churches to prayerfully and carefully do this.

Oh, the Word is so good!
And those who follow its instruction are wise.

readMatthew

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