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Matthew 18:15-20 NIV
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.”
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Although there are many different views and practices when it comes to disciplining children, some believe in corporal punishment, while others emphasize education through love. However, what remains the same is that children must learn to bear the consequences of their mistakes. I have seen many instances where children are merely verbally reprimanded without any substantial punishment. Because they know it's just talk, they don't take it seriously and fail to improve, instead being pushed in the wrong direction. This is a serious mistake and a harmful way of treating children.
The Lord Jesus used examples that everyone could understand to teach believers how to help one another. Just as parents punish their children to guide them in the right direction out of love, Jesus said that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven are like little children. Of course, this also includes disciplining children, which is the responsibility of every believer. In this passage, Jesus repeatedly uses the word "you" to emphasize that this responsibility lies with each member of the body of Christ. It is not just the responsibility of the pastors or church leaders.
When we see fellow believers living in sin, we must warn them that they will face punishment, and the entire process is meant to "win over your brother" (Matthew 18:15). This is a work that the church is currently very lacking in. Many use "do not judge others" as an excuse, but in reality, it is indifference. It may also be because they themselves are living in sin. Jesus' reminder is that the church should be a holy community. This requires each member to be fervent for the Lord to bring about this result. It is extremely difficult to achieve this goal. We are not perfect ourselves, so how can we be qualified to point out others' sins? Jesus fully understands our weaknesses. He then tells us that the authority to rebuke and the responsibility to restore is given by God. The authority of believers represents the authority of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are spokespersons for the Kingdom of Heaven, and the church points out people's sins according to the Bible and the authority given by God (Matthew 18:18).
The two or three people who work together to restore a fellow believer are witnesses and must pray in unity with God's will. It is essential to have the Lord's presence because this is working with the Lord (Matthew 18:20). It is not based on personal emotions or preferences. The Apostle Paul said that the members of the body are like the organs of the body; none can be missing. When one organ is sick, the other members must help it recover as soon as possible. A crucial step in this process is to point out that the organ is sick.
Believers, like children, need continuous learning, reminders, and warnings in order to manifest God's holiness and glory. The Apostle Peter said, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’" (1 Peter 1:15-16). This is the primary goal of God's chosen people as a whole, which is the church. Jesus' instructions are also meant to help His children achieve this goal. Let us work together with God, not relying on ourselves, but relying on God to manifest His holiness.
Do we see lukewarm believers and remain indifferent? Do we know that fellow believers are pursuing worldly values and act as if we don't know? Are we so busy complimenting one another that we forget to encourage each other daily while it is still "today"? (Hebrews 3:13)
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