Where Two Or Three

 Mt 18:15-20

Dealing With Sin in the Church

¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[e] loosed in heaven.

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Harmony between people is an ideal that often escapes us.  Jesus proposes a calm approach to resolving conflict or sinful behaviors, giving the offender ample time and space to reverse the course of his or her actions. Even this method is not always successful; so the "sinner" faces total rejection.

There is power in prayer, especially when two or three gather to pray, Jesus is amidst them. In his presence and with his help perhaps we can still see the longed-for changes in the sinner.  We might begin with ourselves as the sinner who needs repentance, and in that case, we know our prayer will never cease.  Let us be generous, persistent and patient as we pray for ourselves and others.

Bro Rene