Where Two Or Three Are Gathered

 

Matthew 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 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.”

As we gather today  to worship as a community, Jesus reminds us of the obligation and the power we have  to forgive and to support each other. We know we are not perfect, and neither is anyone else, so this mutual care for one another is essential to growing in our faith and our relationships with God and neighbor. Jesus advises us to take simple and loving steps and reminds us that where two or three are gathered in his name he is with them. May we resolve today to incorporate this teaching into our lives and our dealings with one another, even in the most difficult or awkward situations.

Bro Rene

Dear God, thank you for your support; help me live this teaching with the confidence that you are with me. Amen.