Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Matthew 18:15-17.
It is good to remind ourselves that the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry and teaching were written anywhere from 25 to 50 years or more after his time here on earth. When the authors wrote their account of his ministry among us, they were dealing with a different set of circumstances than those of the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Think about how things have changed in the last 25 to 50 years in our lives.)
When Christians of today think about “their church” they may be thinking of a congregation of around 100, a few thousand or more. When Matthew was writing, he was most likely relating to house churches, which probably had no more than forty or fifty. In dealing with holding each other accountable within the church, he remembered Jesus’ instructions about the progression of doing that, from one-on-one to going before the church.
The obvious goal here is to confront sinful behavior and circumstances among our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is focused on those with whom we have a relationship, in our small groups. Build the relationship first, then lovingly hold each other accountable to how you treat each other.
Personal Worship Option:
Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Gracious God, please guide me in my relationships with my Christian family. Help me give them the support they need, as well as the accountability they need, always doing so with Christ-like love. In his name I pray, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment