PT-1 "The Person Who Initiates Discipline" (Matt. 18:15b)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/1/2023 10:00 AM

 

My Worship Time                                         Focus:  PT-1 “The Person Who Initiates Discipline”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Matthew 18:15b

 

            Message of the verse:  “go and reprove him in private.”

 

            MacArthur begins this section by writing “The understood subject of go and reprove are indicated by the plural pronouns ‘you’ and ‘your’ (vv. 15-16).  Jesus was giving general instruction to His followers, and therefore this category is also inclusive.  The responsible for initiating discipline is any believer who is aware of another believer’s sin.  Discipline is not simply the responsibility of church officials but of every member.”  Now is saying this I don’t think that all church members are to be “private detectives” going out looking for people who sin and who don’t repent of that sin.  This whole discipline “thing” has to do with love and restoration, and that needs to be remembered.

 

            “Reprove is from elecho, which has the root meaning of bringing to light or exposing.  The Greek verb is in the aorist imperative, suggesting that the brother is to be shown his sin in such a way that he cannot escape recognizing it for what it is.”

 

            Now the very first confrontation of a sinning brother must be in private, one on one.  Now if it comes to pass that the erring person confesses and repents, no further discipline is necessary and no one else need ever be brought into the matter, and this would be the best outcome to happen for all involved.  The more a person’s sin is known and discussed by others, no matter how well-meaning they may be, the easier it is for him to become resentful and the harder it may be for repentance and restoration.  When he is correctred in private and in a spirit of humility and love, his change of heart is much more likely to happen.  Now if he does repent, a unique and marvelous bond of intimacy will be established between the two believers which is indicated by the phrase you have gained your brother.”

 

            Now I will stop here as I want to wish all who read my blog a very happy new year and a blessed 2023.  Last year (2022) there were many more Spiritual Diaries read than in 2021, but it seems to me that there were more countries that the Spiritual Diaries were read in 2022, which to me is a real blessing.

 

1/1/2023 10:18 AM