What Jesus Did! 'Even When Done to Us!' — Matthew 18:15

Monday, August 25, 2025

The Spring Emerges: JESUShaped

JESUShaped is a discipleship and church planting work born from this ministry.

 Learn More
[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back."
— Matthew 18:15 NLT

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 stream of grace and redemptive love.

When we have been hurt by someone, often our first reaction is to get even by letting everyone else know what a jerk the person was to us. But not in Jesus' redemptive community. In Jesus' community, the goal is restoration: restoration of the personal relationship and restoration of the person back to the character Jesus wants for his 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. As followers of Jesus, there are no other options open to us until this first step is taken!

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving Father, forgive me when I've thought more about getting even than I have about regaining relationship with brothers and sisters and about strengthening their relationship with you. 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.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 18:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."
God has forgiven us, how can we withhold it?
Illustration of Matthew 18:15
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:15 --
Even When Done to Us!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."
Shattered
Article by Phil Ware
What do you do when things fracture between you and someone important to you? Phil Ware talks about what to do when relationships are shattered and how it feels easier to trade in those relationships for new ones, but asks if this is really smartest and if it honors Christ and our walk with God.
See All 7 Related Resources about Matthew 18:15

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:15 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 25, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 18:35
"The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Who Controls You?' (Ro. 8:5)
"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Hebrews 1:3
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!