MATHEW 18;15-19

Matthew 18:15-19New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

 

 

Reproving Another Who Sins

¹⁵ “If another member of the church^[a]sins against you,^[b] go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.^[c] 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.¹⁷ If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.¹⁸ Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

 

I THINK THE PROBLEM

STARTS WITH ME

WHEN WE USE A CHURCH CONDUCT MEMORANDUM

FOR SOLVING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

 

THE WORDS

IF THEY REFUSE TO LISTEN

EVEN TO THE CHURCH

TREAT THEM AS YOU WOULD A PAGAN

OR A TAX COLLECTOR

 

ARE HARDLY AN ECHO

OF CHRIST’S WORDS

FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER

SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN

WHICH TRANSLATES INNUMERABLE

 

TOO OFTEN THE CHURCH IS QUICK

TO BANISH

THE CHURCH IS WELL KNOWN

FOR WHAT IT HATES

SADLY NOT BALANCED

BY WHAT IT LOVES

 

THE CHURCH

HAS TREMENDOUS POWER

IT SHOULD USE IT

WITH GENTLENESS

AND WISDOM