18:15-20
Jesus is totally realistic and knows that sin will take place in the church, so here he gives instruction on how it is to be dealt with. The aim is not to condemn people but to restore them, but this depends on the sinner having a penitent attitude. So the sinner is to be given a chance to repent. First the person is to go to the sinner and point out their sin. This is to be done privately, the aim is not to humiliate the brother. If he repents then he has been won over. If that fails, then go with one or two others, given further chance. If that fails the matter is to be brought before the whole church. If the sinful brother still refuses to listen, only then is he to be treated as a pagan or tax collector.
We naturally feel wary of judging people, but Jesus assures them that if a proper procedure is followed with a proper heart attitude, then God is with them.
18:21-35
The section finishes with another parable, one reminding them that we are all forgiven sinners, and that should colour our attitude at all times. Forgiveness was considered something of a shocking thing, but that is only when we forget that we are all forgiven sinners. Note that the debt of hundred silver coins (or denarii) was not an insignificant amount, only in relation to the man’s own forgiven debt. We are forgiven sinners so we should be a forgiving people.
No comments:
Post a Comment