Dear Explorer,
To begin, I would like for you to define the word fellowship.
My definition is: two fellows in the same ship. Now that's a silly way to remember it – but it's true. Fellowship is a relationship between two people who are serving the same boss – the Holy Spirit, Jesus, God. Therefore, their goals and purposes are similar. There can be relationship between an empty person and a follower of Jesus, but there can't be fellowship – because they don't share the same goals in life, and they are not headed the same direction. Essentially, they are in two different ships.
Read Matthew 18:15-17
Can you define sin (or trespass)?
Sin is anything that is directed by SELF instead of directed by God. The easy way to remember it is: When I, or SELF, gets in the middle of things – I sin. (s-I-n). Another definition is “falling short of God's plan for me”. That's the literal meaning of the word sin. It is an archery term that means anything less than the bull's eye. Missing the mark.
We all sin, even if we are a follower of Jesus and we don't need someone to point that out! Thank you very much. But sometimes a follower of Jesus does something that hurts another follower. Sometimes the hurt was done deliberately, sometimes totally innocently. Jesus lays out a procedure to deal with the other person's actions if you are the one who is hurt by it.
Now there is a difference between translations here that I want us to look at carefully. Some translations say, “If your brother sins against you….” Others say, “If your brother sins….” I believe that the better translation is the first one.
Why? Because of the last phrase in Matthew 18:15. I believe that Jesus was always teaching His disciples (and us) how to get along and come to a place of love and unity. I believe that when brothers and sisters get crosswise because one has wronged the other, it needs to be dealt with in this manner to restore fellowship. I believe that this method works and will achieve the intended results.
I don't believe that harmony is achieved if our eyes are always looking at other's sins instead of focusing on our own obedience. God may lead you to talk with a brother or sister about their sins, but I don't believe that this Scripture is intended to be used that way.
Now both translations are technically correct because the “against you” is not literally there – it is implied. So, just make sure that you understand that it is implied!
Note that on Day 77 we learned that if we had done something wrong to someone – we should go to them to get it straightened out before we prayed. Here, we see that if someone has done something wrong to us – we should be the one to go to them and get it straightened up. Interesting! Why would Jesus say that?
Because Jesus' NEW WAY means that our love will make us want to be in a right relationship with fellow followers. Whether we were wronged or the one doing the wrong – we need to be the initiator of getting it straight. If every follower operates according to Jesus' NEW WAY – what a wonderful world this would be!
Remember that these are Jesus' rules, not my rules or some church's rules. This is Jesus speaking to His followers. So, I believe it's imperative that we dig into this.
According to this passage, what is your relationship to the one who has sinned?
The term brother and sister refer to spiritual not physical. A spiritual brother or sister is one who has invited Jesus into their lives and is in a close loving fellowship with you. Remember, we defined fellowship earlier. In other words, you are equally trying to please your God. You wouldn't approach a casual friend or total stranger about his/her sin.
What is the first instruction if these preliminary criteria have been met?
This is a critical rule that is so often disobeyed. Jesus clearly says, “Go to him/her privately.” He doesn't say, announce to the whole world. He doesn't say talk about it behind their back. He doesn't say go to your pastor or teacher. He says, “Go privately.”
Now, because this brother or sister is a follower of Jesus and the two of you are in close fellowship, then the only way to approach them is humbly and with love. Humble because we know that we mess up all the time and loving because we acknowledge that it is our love for them that makes us care.
If they repent – then no one else ever needs to hear about this. Done. Over. Fellowship restored.
We'll stop there for today. But if this one refuses to repent (change directions), there are other steps to take that we will look at tomorrow.
In His service, dale
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