A LOST BRETHREN

Matthew 18:17

If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ taught us of the Father's desire that the lost (unsaved) would be found. He reminds us that Heaven is full of joy when a sinner repents. So the major assignment of every believer and the church is evangelism. 

He then went further to teach about an offended brethren. 

Matthew 18:15-17

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

The fact that a believer errs is not the problem, that the said believer refuses to retrace their steps is where the problem lies. Firstly the one that believer offends should go first, then if not successful they go two or three. If they are yet unsuccessful the matter is reported to the church. That is the final stop, if the believer refuses, they are counted as backslidden! 

For there is an extent to which you can be at peace with all people. If that person refuses light and wants to be in darkness we cannot join them in darkness - we stay in the light. 

1 Thessalonians 5:5

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

For there is power in the gathering of believers, though a lot of errors and corruption have taken place, so much that even the laying of the hands by the Presbyterian was corrupted when world power and politics seem to have fully infiltrated the church. For the true disciples were persecuted and killed while many fled to different parts of the earth. 

We thank God that the church is spiritual that is why Christ said:

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

So we cannot be put in bondage again by any form of earthly authority that would claim that they are the source of salvation. We can really worship the Heavenly Father in Spirit and in truth. 

There is still power in the church of Christ and it is not a world power, or orthodox, pentecostal or what ever name but when two or three are gathered in His name. Yes, group of people who worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. 

Read again:

Matthew 18:20 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Listen there was no central church system, the church was identified even by Christ, by her location:

Revelation 1:9-11

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

May we receive understanding. 

May the Lord deliver the church from carnality and make us live the true Christian life, that at the end of all things we will hear:

... Good and faithful servant... 

We will finish well, we will have a good report. So help us Good Lord. 

He calls us blessed. 

Love

@the watcher