Matthew 18:15-17
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they 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 they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
I cannot imagine this being carried out in today's church. Conflicts in the church are rarely discussed directly, in my experience. Everyone talks about it, but rarelyto it. The heading of these verses in my Bible is 'Dealing with sin in the church.' I think it is safe to assume that where there is sin, there is apt to be conflict. Thinking about these verses, I am going back over years of petty conflicts in our church, some of which had powerful negative results. What do I learn this morning? I believe we should all do everything in our power to forgive, mend and support each other. I cannot allow sin to lead to conflicts and destruction of anything positive, if I am in a position to prevent it.
Holy Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, I pray. Help me to heal conflict, not add to the flames. Amen
Becky, transforming
Friday, January 26th, 2024
Matthew 18:15-17
“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.
Today is another passage that I do not totally understand. I am looking forward to some help and guidance from you all to better understand.
Matthew 18:15-17
This approach to conflict resolution can be applied in many settings in addition to the church. It was a guiding principle for me in state service and as a Scout leader. In both roles I spoke to offenders privately first. No one was confronted in front of their peers or otherwise publicly. If more action was necessary it followed Jesus’ model. Over many years in both settings I terminated only one employee and there was but one Scout and one adult Scouter removed from our Troop. These three outcomes were painful for all concerned, but I take comfort in knowing the route to outcomes was Scriptural. Now if only we practiced this in the church . . .
Matthew 18:15-17
Sorry but I just can’t do this anymore, I’ve tried with my brother and yes I tried again with witnesses and nope doesn’t work, I’m thinking about the scriptures feed your enemy I have and I’m still Bullied so I’m just not sure what to do with this scripture ???? But it’s not only me it’s todays world the wars going on and expecting to extend a hand not once but more times and feed them I’m just at a loss on this so I look forward to our Transformer meeting for help understanding and direction.
Dear Lord, I’m listening and I’m grateful for your scriptures but I’m lost confused and at wits end on how! Open my…