Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 18:15-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. Verse 16But 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. Verse 17If 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. Verse 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Verse 19Again, 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. Verse 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Devotion
Christ has advice about how to “speak to warn the wicked,” that we heard in Ezekiel 33:7-11. It is a skill rarely if ever practiced today. We fail to see it is God’s grace to provide the word of warning so others might live! If your doctor knew you had cancer, but decided he/she could not tell you because he/she thought you would find the news too upsetting, you would consider it negligent. We know the wages of sin is death, but we would rather let people risk salvation than call them to repentance!
Will they listen? Not often. Then we take along a few other witnesses and we bring it to the congregation. Will they listen then? Perhaps, but at least we will have done all we could. Our responsibility is not to save them – only Christ can do that. Our responsibility is to speak, to warn.
Prayer
Lord, we are not just accountable to you, but also to each other. Help us provide loving reproof when necessary. Amen.