Tag: Matthew 18:15-20
Righteous judgment
Scripture reading for July 11th: 1 Corinthians 5
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the Name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Following Paul’s instructions not to judge church members for their ministry and faithfulness, (1 Corinthians 4:5) Paul gives instruction to those leading the Corinthian church concerning a church member involved in gross sexual sin. This person, if allowed to continue in the church, would cause harm to the church and the cause of the Gospel. The person, if not dealt with, would become comfortable living in sin and could lose his salvation through blasphemy of the Spirit. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for being arrogant instead of mourning over this person and seeking repentance and a return to godly truth.
Paul, who had planted this church, told them what he would do if present. He would have ascertained the truth about the charge that this man was living with his father’s wife and confronted him. (Matthew 18:15-20) If true and he would not repent, he would have put the man out of the church. In doing so, this would deliver him over to Satan. In Satan’s realm, destruction of his flesh would result. The prayer of the mourning church for this man was that in the end, he would be saved before the final ‘Day of the Lord’ when Jesus would judge all by truth. This was Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ teaching on dealing with sin or offense.
Do you think there is a tolerance for gross immorality in our culture today? Are these principles of dealing with sexual sin being applied in the church? How does this teaching change your world view concerning dealing with sexual sin in your life and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking clearly concerning the responsibility of church leadership to confront gross sexual sins. Help Your church today to apply these principles and not compromise with our culture. Give us hearts that mourn over sins and desire all to be saved and included Christ’s kingdom. Amen.
Biblical conflict resolution
Scripture reading for July 22nd: Matthew 18
Key Scriptures: Matthew 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence 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, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them.””
Our Father is a God of order and hates dissension between brothers. Here Jesus outlines a way to deal with conflict caused by sin against a brother or sister in the Church. If you are wronged, the first step is to go alone, privately, to the brother and tell the wrong. The other party may not even be aware of the wrong. This should be done privately so that none of it would be gossiped about or shared but forgiven and forgotten quickly with little or no disruption of relationship. If there is refusal to even listen, the next step is to take along one or two others who are godly and respected and try to get the problem resolved. If this brings no results, then the matter can be shared with the Church. This may by the whole body of Christ or possibly just the elders. They then confront the party and if there is refusal to repent, then discipline can be taken. Whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven. Agreement is a powerful thing for Jesus is there too! The whole goal is forgiveness and restoration with as little fuss as possible.
Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for clear instruction in resolving conflict between brothers or sisters. Help me to always practice and obey Your teaching. I want to be a peace-maker, following the example of Jesus Christ. May Your Word bring glory to Your Name and peace in Your body, the Church!
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”