by David Brenneman
“If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:15-20.
Father give me strength, to do what I must do.
Father give me courage, to say what I must say.
Let that spirit move me.
I'm nothing on my own.
Father stand by me, I can not stand alone, in Jesus name I pray.
Father open up my eyes to your wonders all around.
Father let me see the good and beauty of this day.
Fill my heart with love, for my fellow man.
And if I'm tempted Father.
Father take my hand, in Jesus name I pray.
Father help me through the troubled days that lie ahead.
Let your life stand before me, that I may find a way.
So let me stumble Father, or fall beneath my load.
Father guide my footsteps.
Hold me to the road, in Jesus name I pray.
Let not hunger be my guide, nor fear be my master.
Father let not envy, be a part of me in any way.
Father search my soul, take away my fear and doubt.
Any moment that you find this, Father cast it out, in Jesus name I pray.
Ah ah ah Amen.
- "In Jesus Name I Pray" Charlie Pride (c) 1976
It's never an easy road where confrontation resides. We probably would admit that confrontation is the least favorite thought to cross our minds to do with someone else.
Emotions come to the forefront and a danger can exist that the rightful truth won't be the only thing revealed but other things that have no real bearing on the matter at hand.
But it's not to be avoided when what's really at stake is the integrity and the reputation of Jesus Christ in the lives of those its about.
Prayer must proceed what we read of in Matthew 18. There must be no compromise in that first step. Next comes what Jesus said must be done. Not in the court of popular opinion but His direct, straightforward, commanded, instructions. He commanded that this is what must be done.
In the Old Testament we read of people whom were called out due to keeping things under a ban from the spoils of war. The matter was confirmed by no less than 2 witnesses. Judgment was swift and it was severe.
A consistent theme between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the command to deal with the things that only produce stumbling blocks to both the Believer and the unbelieving. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer then proceed as the Spirit directs.
Prayer is a must because our feelings get in the way of God's will being done. We are fearful of outcomes that are atypically unpredictable.
Obstinate, unrepentant, people must be rooted out. They cause dissensions and division. They cause the Word of God to be maligned. The Name of Jesus Christ to be trampled on.
Paul instructed the churches to deal with such people or when he was visiting again he would deal with them.
Seeking the Lord in prayer helps keep our solutions out of the mix as well. Even in this, especially in this, it's still to be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Period.
When the Lord has decided then obedience must follow. There's stories too in the Old Testament where the command from the Lord was given and obedience didn't follow and there were serious repercussions from it. Still others commended for stepping up to fulfill the command of the Lord.
It hurts or at least it should because relationships have been broken and the fallout is usually severe.
Those in a leadership position who are the ones under scrutiny are under double the condemnation for as they are worthy of double honor for the good they do in their lofty position so is the responsibility and accountability of that position.
We're told to pray for those who are leaders and those in authority over us. They need our prayers. Jealousy, strife, envy, deceit, malice, bitterness, can take root in anyone but those in authority, they are targeted for those things.
We're to pray for those who persecute us.
Our prayers for people take those people before Jesus for Him to address. When we do...we should get out of His way for what He deems is necessary to be done. Our part doesn't change. We are to bring our requests to God in prayer and abide by His choices and decisions regarding them. It's not up for debate or questioning. We may not like the fact that we may have to remove such a person from under the protection of God because of their choices and decisions but its a Biblical necessity as part of what is commanded.
As a saying once said long ago goes: Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it.
The point of going through such confrontations concerning sin is to bring such people back into a right relationship with Jesus.
That's what Jesus wants so it should be what we want, no matter what steps need to be taken or how long it takes.
Go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Don't you think it greatly pained Jesus to have to kill His creation to provide clothes for Adam and Eve? What pains we consider with regards to what we are commanded to do to obey Jesus certainly must pale in comparison.
Prayer leads those who are to confront such people. Prayer must be had for those in this situation. Prayer must be said to bring about the righteous life that God desires. As it also says that without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that His interests are to restore errant people.
"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10.
Looking the other way and not dealing with what God's Word says must be dealt with is never a good thing.
Keep those in authority over us in Christ in prayer at all times.
Rough times do surround such rough things but when repentance comes so does rejoicing.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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