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Even When Done to Us! - Matthew 18:15

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"If your brother or sister does something wrong to you, go and tell that person what he did wrong. Do this alone with that person. If that person listens to you, then you have helped that person to be your brother again." (ERV)   Full Text

Key Thought

It's one thing to reach out to the fallen brother or sister who has lost sight of the way. It's quite another to restore a brother or sister who has wronged us personally. But underneath the episodes of this chapter lies a subterranean stream of grace and redemptive love.
When we have been hurt, often our first reaction is to get even by letting everyone else know what a jerk this person was to us. But not in Jesus' redemptive community. The goal is restoration: restoration of the personal relationship and restoration of the person back to the character of Jesus' community.
If the injury is a private matter, then we should begin by going personally, alone, to lovingly and redemptively confront the brother or sister with the goal of reconciliation. There are no other options open to us until this first step is taken!

Today's Prayer

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Holy and loving Father, forgive me when I've thought more about getting even than I have about regaining relationship with brothers and sisters. I know that when I am out of relationship with others, it blocks my relationship with you. Please give me the courage, wisdom, sensitivity, and timing to lovingly and redemptively confront those who sin against me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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Today's Verses in Context

"If your brother or sister does something wrong to you, go and tell that person what he did wrong. Do this alone with that person. If that person listens to you, then you have helped that person to be your brother again. But if that person refuses to listen, then go to him again and bring one or two people with you. Then there will be two or three other people that will be able to tell all that happened. If that person refuses to listen to them, then tell the church (group of believers). If that person refuses to listen to the church, then treat him like he is a person that does not believe in God. Treat him like he is a tax collector. "I tell you the truth. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness. "Also, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about something, then you can pray for it. And the thing you ask for will be done for you by my Father in heaven. This is true, because if two or three people are together believing in me, I am there with them."

— Matthew 18:15-20 (ERV)

 

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
 
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"You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, 'Don't kill any person. And any person that kills will be judged.' But I tell you, don't be angry with another person. Every person is your brother. If you are angry with other people, you will be judged. And if you say bad things to another person, you will be judged by the Jewish council. And if you call another person a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell. "So when you offer your gift to God, think about other people. If you are offering your gift before the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, then leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person. Then come and offer your gift. "If your enemy is taking you to court, then become friends with him quickly. You should do that before you go to court. If you don't become his friend, then he might give you to the judge. And the judge might give you to a guard to put you in jail. And I tell you that you will not leave that jail until you have paid everything you owe.
Matthew 5:21-26 (ERV)

"You must not hate your brother in your heart. If your neighbor does something wrong, then talk to him about it. But forgive him! Forget about the wrong things people do {to you}. Don't try to get even. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord!
Leviticus 19:17-18 (ERV)

So be careful! "If your brother sins, tell him he is wrong. If he is sorry {and stops sinning}, forgive him.
Luke 17:3 (ERV)


 
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