DIVINE PROVISION FOR RESTORATION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OFFENDER BRETHREN.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.   But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:15‭-‬20 KJV

The Bible made it so clear that offence shall come. In other words, people in relationships or communion of any kind will sometimes come to the point where the friendship will go bad. Point when someone will hurt or sin against another. This happens among family, churches and community. Between husband and wife, children, close friends and even people who have just a face connection. There is practically no way to live in this world without getting hurt or offended by somebody.

Here in this Gospel, Jesus Christ prescribed divine approach to restoration of Christian offenders. Verse 15 of our scripture mention something so shocking and hard to believe. It charged the offendee with responsibility of looking for the offender. Let us dwell on this verse a bit brethren.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15 KJV

Sir/Ma, do you observe the hard thing Jesus Christ is demanding from us as Christians. Imagine you are deeply hurt or sin against by your loving brother/sister in church. He/She lied against you, cursed and called you names. Destroy something precious to you. You were terribly hurt to the point you almost responded in fight. But for love of Christ, you stopped the reaction. Naturally, no man want to associate with such brother or sister again. But Jesus Christ opinion was different. He said in the mist of your hurt, forget your bitterness or anger and seek for restoration of his/her soul. What a tall command! 

Brethren, the purpose of God is for us to act like Jesus Christ by forgiving sin before anyone hurt or trespass against us. In the agenda of God, it is the responsibility of offendee to look for offender. This requires divine grace brethren. How many Christians today are keeping grudges and have another brethren in their heart just for simple offence? Some will even tell you I don't have anything against him/her but we cannot talk again or relate. Not so Sir/Ma, the divine standard is that you initiate talk for reconciliation and restoration.

Let us look into the 3 cardinal provision for restoration of offenders. 

1. One on one in the Private.

2. Witness of 2 or 3 brethren.

3. The Church ministry. 

Permit me to say brethren. Most offender in church find it difficult to forsake their sin because these three provisions happen most time in reverse order. A brother/sister offended you. But every member of the church suddenly see him/her as enemy just because you're popular. Everyone gossip about him/her with no single person pointing out to him/her the sin committed. The first approach of offendee is expression of your hurt in the spirit of meekness to allow offender see the fault. This must be done in private according to scripture 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1 KJV

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19‭-‬20 KJV

‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. Leviticus 19:17 AMP

All these scriptures pointed out the reason why we need to do one on one approach. It's a sign spiritual maturity, meek, avoiding sin for yourself, saving offender brethren from multitude of sins and ultimately death. Most troubles and gossips in various units and departments in church would have ended if this one on one approach technique was used by offendee.

Now to Witness of 2 or 3 Brethren. Sir/Ma, I will like you to know that failure of step one may offend you the more. Remember you're not at fault in the first instance. You're only doing the will of your Father. Jesus Christ knew that may happen. He made further provisions. This approach was dated to old testament law.

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 KJV

Brethren, Continue with your father's will by calling 2 or 3 faithful witnesses who will help to express your desire for reconciliation. Most of us in the process of reporting an offender brother/sister to another Christians, we end up with wrong 2 or 3 witnesses who inturn become the demons that raises fire of more conflicts. Many Christians cannot mediate effectively in resolving  problems. That is why involving more matured brethren is very important.

I know someone at this point may need to forgive somebody. You have been deeply hurt. I am trusting God to help you make a decision for one on one private reconciliation this week. If you've made such effort before but yielded no fruit. Please involve the ministry of 2 or 3 witnesses. Please do it for your freedom and just because it is the will of your heavenly Father. Please know that you're doing yourself eternal favor when other 2 or 3 witnesses can boldly declare you free from fault and anger as a result of the offense. In fact if this process failed, the offender's sin remain why you're free. Do you know Sir/Ma freedom from hurt is achieved not when you ignore the hurt but when you forgive it. Evidence of forgiveness is your ability to involve 2 or 3 faithful witnesses. 

Now to the final point. 

Ministry of the Church in reconciliation of offender brother/sister.

It will interest you to know that Christ love all Christians so much he does not want any to go to hell. Someone would have thought of giving up the offended brother/sister after the second step. But Jesus Christ who is compassionate to leave 99 saved sheep in search of the lost 1 sheep will not give up easily on any of his own. He involved the ministry of the Church. 

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:17 KJV

Please note brethren, this is the most important but yet delicate situation for any offender. I will like to speak to any brethren here who causes trespass or offense to another. Never allow yourself reach this state before you reconcile with God and offendee. I will encourage you to put a call through right now, seek for the offendee this week to end the malice, seek for forgiveness and be at peace again.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17 KJV

The purpose of the church is similar to Supreme Court in this case. The final verdict is given either to declare the offender brother/sister reconciled back to God or give him up to himself and the devil as backslider. That is why preceding verses clearly express the authority of the church.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.   Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18‭-‬20 KJV

Many atimes we use these verses to address or command demons. Sometime to make prayer requests. But in this context. It also speaks of the authority of the church to declare final judgment on the offender. The judgement may be to give him up or to continue to interceed for his soul. But I can boldly declare to you sir/ma, even though his state and position at this final stage is equal to that of unbeliever. Christ still never give up. Christ depend on our intercession, our prayer of agreement to save his backsliding gentile soul through grace. 

Are your there as a Christian offender, there is hope for you. Why not return to your maker and ask for forgiveness. You're there causing division among brethren repent today and mend your ways. You're there hurting and not ready to forgive your brethren. Please do just what Jesus want. Seek for the offender and bring him back to God. Jesus want a healthy church. He want transgressors who are willing to a seek forgiveness. He seek offendee who are ready to reconcile and restore offender. No matter you situation. Do the will of God. We all are product of undeserved forgiveness.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ! I thank you for your word. I seek for you Holy Spirit to give better meaning to all this message in the life of those who need to forgive a hurt or who are the reason why other Christians are hurting. Please Lord rescue both the offender and the offendee and restore to us a church of true saints without anger, bitterness and malice. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen