Matthew 18:
15"If your brother sins (against you), go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
I think most of us would not point out the fault/sin of our brother or sister- why potentially jeopardize a fine, growing relationship?
Good point.
But how can you see someone that you claim to love living in sin, and be indifferent about it? If you can be indifferent about something, it means that you don't care all that much after all, because otherwise- you'd so something about it!
Notice the verse uses the words "won your brother over".
You can't win something over unless it was lost.
When you see a sin gripping onto your beloved brother/sister's life- (s)he's losing the battle of her soul! Why? Because no true believer would continue to live in sin! A true Christian would hunger and thirst for righteousness and desire to live a holy life.
[Note: it's NOT "A true Christian is righteous and holy"- we're bound to make mistakes, we're bound to fall. Christians are NOT perfect. But we love God, and hence His love enables us to strive for that.]
Moving on...
To have someone "listen" to you doesn't mean the person must completely eradicate the sin as though sin is like a typo in a document that is so easily resolved! If they can acknowledge it and realize they need God's strength to start dealing with it- that's good enough!
BUT.. what if they refuse to admit it's "a problem"? (we all have our pride and ego whether you're a guy or girl so it could very possibly happen- heck, who would admit "Yeah, you're right, I'm struggling with porn or alcohol addiction" (for example) just like that?!)
(continued)
16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
If you're not all that close to the person, it's not surprising that the individual will simply refuse to tell you anything at all [(s)he'd probably just laugh it off and walk away from you when you approach him/her]. But the above verses doesn't mean you start spreading the news around that X is struggling with sin!
These 2 or 3 witnesses should be people that are in authority over the individual (eg: X's youth or Bible Study leader) or those that most likely know about the matter as well (eg: VERY close Christian friends- if any) so that the 2 or 3 of you can try to approach X about the matter GENTLY but firmly.
The idea is NOT everyone ganging up on one person to force him/her to change! It's only to let the person realize they are doing something wrong because only GOD can change a person.
After exhausting all that, if the person refuses to acknowledge it, then you've done your part. Everyone has done their part. Leave the person to God (and continue to keep him/her in prayer).
Most of the time, there's no need to go THAT far. Most of the time we (as Christians) know when we're living in sin ( 'cos the Holy Spirit would prompt us), but somehow we're just holding on to it... because, well, we've not been caught yet. Or more likely because (as much as we hate sinning,) we enjoy it- even though we know it's wrong.
I guess sometimes we're just waiting for "someone" to show up. Someone that's God-sent who can be around. Doesn't have to be the opposite gender, just a genuine friend. A friend that's like a brother from another mother that we can share our burdens with; because sometimes, it's just too hard to go through on our own though we know that God is there... if you can agree with that, perhaps that's exactly what your brother/sister is looking for in you.
How much do you love your fellow brother/sister?
Are you gonna "wait first" because (s)he still looks quite fine on the outside?
Are you gonna wait until (s)he has fallen ALL the way- physically looks pale, crying and devastated, going to be sent for rehab or counseling before you say,"Actually, I've been wanting to tell you about that for a long time"?
Or do you love him/her enough to care about his/her soul?
How deep is your love?
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7 comments:
wadda fark is all dis about? you think you are so holly or trying to be? you two are so lame to call yourself sisters in christ. talk about your trash in yer own church ****wits
you all sound like you can do anything in your power to make this a better world when it is so fark, trying to be pure and have a pure mind? fark go be a nun laaaaaa you people r so stupid
always be his humble child and servant? go to heaven and suck his hairy balls la.
carry each other's burden???? so smart and so free so help everyone la, ppl will oni think u r nuts laaa. toking about christ every day think u wut? trying to be hero? full of **** la yer blog.
anonymous: i believe you agree that all of us have our own beliefs and the way we choose to live our lives. I also believe that you know that we ought to respect each other.
Our beliefs may not be of urs but please do understand that this is what we stand for. feel free to have a friendly debate but pls keep your harsh words to yourself.
If "stupid" is the term for ppl like us then i guess "stupid" it is we are. we respect you very much for your opinions and we hope you respect ours enough to be polite. thanks =)
*are who we are
wadda fark u peepz r so lame to copy and paste my message in the chat box here and then reply. So free go pray more for the unfortunate lah waste so much time fer wut?! Dis have prove how stupid you peepz r
Hey anon =)
Actually, it takes less than 20seconds to copy and paste everything over, so don't worry about the time taken to do that.
As much as you're annonymous, you're a person. You're worth our time.
Thanks for dropping by again. Take care and God bless!
The fact that anonymous read enough of this blog to be able to post something that showed that amused me. Not to mention, return to reply!
Anyway, why should we worry about how others see us? :) Ultimately, it is to please Him.
And, "faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26b). So, how can one just pray 24/7 and forget about the surroundings? If nobody responds, it would perhaps be less one opportunity for you to find any answer/s.
Dear person who chooses to remain anonymous for whatever reason/s, which is perfectly fine,
May i please suggest to you, or even to be so emboldened as to implore you, if you were to please read the article carefully, casting all comments, judgments, and prejudices aside... then, you will see it in the light of the truth, which i am afraid you are not (something you nor anyone else (including each one of us here are) able to do so... it is the Spirit of truth Who illuminates all truth into our hearts, minds and spirits.
But, if you would be humbled enough to do so, i pray that the Lord by His Spirit, the revealer of all truth, would be gracious and merciful unto you.
The passage taken from the Gospel of Jesus according to the apostle Matthew, eighteenth chapter, verses fifteen and sixteen is only directed to the believers, or Christians. It is therefore, a truth that can only be grasped, appreciated and understood by: Christians. And yes, this is only meant to be a disclaimer (for the sole purpose of explanation and clarification).
Harap maklum.
Sekian.
Tuhan berkati anda.
From the chatbox:
16 Aug 08
Anonymous: Hey, the other dude... you're givin' the real reasons why people choose to remain anonymous a bad name... If you dare to voice out your opinions, step out into the light and not hide and cower behind the face of anonymity, and puttin' up a show of bravado. Please show people, especially the ladies some respect... you gotta' learn some basic manners before you ev'n begin to speak. Appreciate. Word.
All in all, i really find it so int'restin' that you would actually bother to read up all 'tis 'junk' in the first place... aren't your actions already betrayin' your speech? =)
Just because you can't or are unable to see things diff'rently, the way they do doesn't make either one (yours or theirs) absolutely right or wrong. They are many diff'rent perspectives and angles to look at the same (one) thing... why are you only limitin' yourself to only one view/perspective? Why so narrow minded?
Buddhism is but only a way of life. And, we're not ev'n talkin' 'bout any one religion. We're only concerned with establishin' a personal relatiosnhip with our Father in heaven, which by the way means that He is your Father too, whether you acknowledge Him or not... you just haven't yet realised your true inheritance in Him, and earn the right to be called His child, which is rightfully yours in the first place. So, it really is sad that you're dissin' your own Father, which you have not yet realised nor come to terms with yet. You've grieved His heart, but yet, He still loves you.
Sorry, "to die for the sins of our rejecting Him as our true (and only) Father."
That's why He gave up His one and only Son for you and form me; to die for the sins of our rejecting Him as your true and only Father. Return to the Father. He is waiting with open arms.And we are earnestly praying (for you). May the Lord bless you, my brother.
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