Living in the Spirit

September 9, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20
‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. 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. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

The Greek word translated as hamartanó* means eternal loss due to missing God’s mark. It is used like the word hamartía, as being like an archer missing the target. I do appreciate the guidance for addressing such issues. Many churches have faltered over small issues getting blown out of proportion and not being addressed quickly and effectively. I, however, stopped short when I read what should happen if the offender remains recalcitrant that they should be treated like a Gentile and a tax collector. I believe shunned is the religious term that describes the expected response. That seems a bit self-righteous to me. It does not seem to fit comfortably with the commandment of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Perhaps the last phrase makes the case for justice, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. That tells me we better work out our differences even with gentiles and tax collectors.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to recognize when we have missed the mark and guide us in restoring wholeness in our relationships. Open our hearts when we are the ones wrong to practice forgiveness in love.  Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/264.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.