“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 if 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 am I with them.” Matthew 18:15-20
This chunk of scripture is no doubt one I believe in but it is extremely challenging to me. There are times I wish it wasn’t in the bible but honestly I am so glad it is there. This outline for how to work with a fellow believer that is in sin is so beneficial to not just have but to act on. There are times when I am scared out of my mind to live by this but I have not seen it fail me yet. The way it goes is simple confront one on one out of love and concern if no repentant response, bring a friend and in a loving and concerned heart confront again lastly if still no repentant response bring it to the leaders in the church. If no repentance and willing to pursue God then ask to leave the church. Scary stuff, right? Well here are a couple of things I have learned in practice of this chunk of scripture
Don’t gossip: This biblical confrontation spoken of here is very clear go to the person. Not go to all your friends then the person. Keep it between the two of you. The damage of gossip only kills any respect and trust your fellow believer has in you
Be timely: This is HUGE. If you are non confrontational and or a people pleaser the temptation here is to draw this process out way too long. Believe me the longer you draw this out the more painful and awkward it will be. When God puts these moments of confrontation in front of you deal with them immediately. As time draws on your words will only become old and outdated to the fellow believer
Some will reject it: This is not the solution rather this is how to handle the problem. These verses do not promise that everyone will repent and turn to God with the perfect happy ending rather know that you are accountable to live by the scriptures and ultimately care more about your fellow believer’s relationship with God then your friendship with them
Rely on God and the scriptures: As the chunk of scripture wraps up we are reminded that God is with us when men come together in God’s name. This promise of not being alone is so comforting in these moments of confrontation be comforted to know that ultimately God is with you in these moments and that the scriptures are the authority. The way we live our lives is not for comfort or man’s approval rather it is in submission to the scriptures.
