Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16
"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007
 

WHEN A BROTHER SINS

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This entry was posted on 08-20-2009 and is filed under RESPONSIBILITY.

What should you do when someone sins against you? Our natural tendency is to retaliate in word or deed. But what does God want us to do? We are not left in the dark on this question for Scripture has plenty to say on this matter.

"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" (Matt. 18:15 NIV). How many differences could have been solved had this advice been followed? Notice that it is our responsibility to go to the brother. The longest journey begins with the first step. Our Lord gives additional advice in case the brother does not listen (vs. 16 & 17).

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and say, 'I repent,' forgive him" (Luke 17:3, 4 NIV). William Barclay comments, "The Rabbis had a saying that if one forgave another three times, one was a perfect man. The Christian standard takes the Rabbinic standard, doubles it and adds one; but it is not a matter of calculation. It simply means that the Christian standard of forgiveness must immeasurably exceed the best the world can achieve."

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1, 2 NIV). All of these passages tell us what our Christian responsibility is toward a brother or sister who sins. How are we doing in this area of our Christian experience? Do we go to them? Do we rebuke them? Do we forgive them? Do we restore them? If we are spiritual, we will at least try.

Prayer: Holy Father, do help us to take our responsibilities as a Christian brother or sister more seriously. Embolden us to follow the teachings of Your Word in the spirit of Your Son.
 

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    • 08-21-2009 Dan Johnson wrote:
      Dear Victor, If we churches and Christians would put this into practice there would be unity, harmony and a powerful impact on the world around us! Let it start with me.
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    • 09-21-2009 John Schmitt wrote:
      A personal example: Some time ago, I had made an error in judgement over which my sister took me to task. She had a reputation in the family for her volatile temper and she had vilified me in an e-mail over the situatiion. Her language was so vitriolic that I was stunned for several days. I finally concluded that she had allowed a root of bitterness to spring up in her life by which many, especially me, were being defiled. (see Hebrews 12:15) I went to her home to speak with her privately, and was received somewhat warily. I laid out the facts as I saw them and made it clear that I expected any further communication from her to be civil, at the very least. Since then, she has become the sweetest person anyone could want to meet. I conclude that Matt. 18:15 applies to sisters as well as brothers. I believe that I won my sister over.
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