Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Christian Problem Resolution

Christian problem resolution step 1 (Matthew 18:15)
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Christian problem resolution step 2 (Matthew 18:16)
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Christian problem resolution step 3 (Matthew 18:17)
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

How did Jesus treat tax collectors and sinners? (Luke 5:27-32)
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Over riding rule of Christian problem resolution (Matthew 18:21-22)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.

For more info, see the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18

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