If I were driving down the highway and had an accident, the first thing I would do (after the officer has left) is look at the damage and see if I can fix it myself so I could continue driving. It may be that I get a friend to help take out the dent. If that doesn’t work, then it goes to the repair shop. If they can’t fix it, the junk yard is last resort.
15 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 “And 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-gatherer. (Mat 18:15-17 NAS)
God uses the same method with us that we use with our beloved car. Unfortunately, these words have been used to condemn many of us. Remember, there is a big difference between someone who has been traumatized and someone who intentionally turns his back on God. There is a big difference between a pile of metal and a lost soul.
As I looked this up, I saw the verse which comes before it.
14 “Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. (Mat 18:14 NAS) Always look at the context.
There is another set of verses I want to add to this mix before I shake it up and serve,
1 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler– not even to eat with such a one. (1Co 5:11 NAS)
All of chapter 5 is part of this passage. However, the story is continued in 2 Corinthians.
But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree– in order not to say too much– to all of you.
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow such a one be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. (2Co 2:5-8 NAS)
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11/18/17