15“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault 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. 17If 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. 18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Conflict resolution was paramount in the purpose of Jesus’ coming, as the angels announced at His birth, “Peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)—peace certainly with God, but also among men. Jesus presents a simple, three-step outline for dealing with interpersonal issues. Speaking directly to “you,” He personalizes this teaching to apply to any who hear Him.
The first step, and this is simply a sketch, is to go privately to the one who has sinned against you. Untold damage results when people ignore this and resort to gossip, innuendo or passive-aggressive behavior. It takes courage to do what Jesus says here, for dysfunction is always easier in the short term, but disastrous down the road. It is not the height of Christlikeness, as some say, to simply ignore all offenses as though that were love. Honesty must prevail where relationships are concerned. This, done with open and honest dialogue offers the simple attempt at clear communication and reconciliation.
Secondly, if “step one” does not work, take along one or two “witnesses.” While this may assume the “rightness” of your case, godly, impartial witnesses will be able to help mediate and resolve the issue between the two of you. This may result in confession of sin (his or yours) and bring about reconciliation.
Finally, if it is established that the other person refuses to be reconciled, the issue should be brought to the church (literally, the “gathering” of God’s people). This shock treatment ought to make the person realize his sin affects the whole church and restoration is absolutely needed. If there is still no repentance, he is to be put out of the fellowship and treated as an outsider.
Much more is said about conflict resolution in Scripture (e.g. Luke 17:3, Gal 6:1, 2 Thess 3:15, James 5:19). Suffice it here to say, as Jesus intonates, these matters carry divine authority when done by two or three acting genuinely in Christ’s name, and on His behalf (reminiscent of Matthew 16:19).
Lord, I confess how rarely I obey Your instruction here. Show me (remind me of) those relationships that have been breached and I will work for reconciliation.
0 Comments