The Peacemaking Church - Session 5 - Dec 1st notes

[RyanB]

1. God calls us to lovingly correct one another.
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. (Matt 18:15)

2. Correcting means more than confronation.
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off? (Matt 18:12; see Matt 18:21-35; Gal 6:1)

3. Sooner or later, talk face-to-face. (see Gen 32-33; Gen 50:15-21; 2 Sam 14:24; Matt 5:23-24)

4. Go when someone's sins are too serious to overlook.

• Is it dishonoring God? (Rom 2:21-24)
• Is it damaging your relationship?
• Is it hurting others (or you)? (Luke 17:2-3; 1 Cor 5:6)
• Is it hurting the offender?

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

5. Special considerations:

• First get the log out of your own eye.
• Approach non-Christians gently.
• Respect those in authority.
• Deal cautiously with abuse.
• Go tentatively ... go repeatedly.

Key Principle: Construcitve correction is a genuine sign of love.