If your brother sins against you, both of you go together and tell him his fault. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
—Matthew 18:15
Thoughts on today’s verse…
Doing the right thing can be the hardest thing. Many of us find it easier to gossip about someone who has wronged us than to obey Jesus. But one thing is true when we have been injured by the actions of another brother or sister in Christ. Jesus commands us to approach the person who has wronged us, try to limit the harm done to both of us, and work on reconciliation with each other. Satan lives in poisonous and poisonous places in our hearts where unforgiveness and resentment reside. God’s will, and what should be our goal as His children, is reconciliation that is personal, face-to-face, and real. Our desire to be reconciled to our angry brother or sister “For whom did Jesus die?” (Romans 14:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:11) It must be stronger than our desire for revenge or to get even. Salvation should be our motivation, and Jesus’ commandments should be our guide!
My prayer…
Oh Almighty God, forgive my foolish and selfish ways. Please give me the courage to confront me lovingly – or even better, “Carefront” – Those who have sinned against me. If I cannot be reconciled, help me to forgive through the power of Your Holy Spirit, just as You have forgiven me. In the name of Jesus, and because of His atoning sacrifice for both my sins and theirs, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
