Matthew 18.15-17 - Righting Wrongs Rightly

Matthew 18.15-17 - Righting Wrongs Rightly

We get a bizarre glimpse into a dysfunctional church in our text today. The “early” church was not the “perfect” church some people idealize, neither is our church, or our families, workplaces, and schools. Jesus knows our human dilemma and outlined three simple steps to maintain peace and purity in the community of faith.  First, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone…”  Jesus wants us to face people, not Facebook them, humbly and sincerely. Most conflict among Christians ends quickly when we communicate directly, quickly, and kindly. “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you…” --- rarely we’ll need mutually trusted friends to help us make peace. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church...” --- very rarely, we may need arbitration from church leaders. (Matthew 18.15-17)