Day 254 Matthew 16:13 – Chapter 18

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.

Dealing with sin
Matthew 16:13 – Chapter 18
The biblical pattern for dealing with sin in the church is unfortunately far removed from our contemporary ways of doing things, and requires a level of relationship too seldom found in the modern church.
If the problem of sin is broken relationship, then the solution of sin is restored relationship, or reconciliation. The instructions in this passage assume that the church is a fellowship of Christ-followers who are striving, both individually and collectively, to build an ever-stronger relationship with God.
If that is the case, then making someone aware of a previously unknown sin—or rebuking the person for being in denial of a known sin—is the action of a teammate helping to bring desired improvement, not the action of a judge bringing condemnation.
It’s also important to notice that the person whose sin is being brought to their attention is a fellow disciple—someone who has willingly joined in the accountable community.
Most of us are familiar with the pattern in 18:15-20.
If you see a fellow disciple in sin, go to that person as a friend to encourage reconciliation. If the person persists in the sin, approach again with one or two other people and try to achieve reconciliation. If that, too, fails, take the matter to the church and if the person still continues in sin, treat the person as you would an outsider.
(It’s interesting that Jesus says to treat them as a pagan or a tax collector—both groups of people who are welcome into fellowship if only they repent.)
Going back to the team analogy, it is clear this is not about vengeance or punishment, but about allowing the team to function at its best. If one member of a team, whether it be a sports team or a choir or a group at work, slacks off, the response isn’t to immediately cast them out. Rather it’s a deliberate effort to bring them back into the fold with as much discretion as possible.
Ultimately, though, the rest of the team cannot be held back from achieving its collective goal by one person who willfully refuses to do what he or she agreed to do upon becoming part of the team.
The proverb for today is an ironic match, as it suggests a harsher approach. Even the whip, bridle and rod, though, are intended to achieve cooperation, not just to punish…but we can be glad Jesus has a more compassionate approach!