Gaining Thy Brother or Sister (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Gaining thy Brother or Sister” - what if, perchance, your brother or sister in Christ decides not to hear you? Are you then free from your responsibility to him or her? Again, the answer is no! The scripture gives us our next necessary step toward reconciliation - “if he (she) will NOT hear (will not respond to what you said to them about correcting the offense), then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established (confirmed or upheld by your witnesses’ testimony)” (Matthew 18:16). Notice that we cannot give up on our brothers and sisters. On the contrary, we must make further efforts to communicate with them. By involving 2 or 3 witnesses, you are not motivated by tail bearing or gossip, but rather asking assistance in prayer for them as well. You’ll find that Jesus advocates this, saying, “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done...For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20). Another good reason to bring in witnesses is because oftentimes others may, through prayer, be able to mediate between aggrieved persons when they cannot reach a settlement themselves. Sometimes, you brother or sister may not hear you, but can be brought around by someone else. Do you see what’s happening here? By following the instructions of Jesus concerning the settling of conflicts, we are hoping to “gain our offending brother or sister” in Christ.

Precious Ones, since “gaining my brother or sister” is my reason for trying to communicate with them, I will bring witnesses who are impartial and not easily swayed by opinions and emotions - witnesses who will not automatically side with me just because they are “my witnesses”. I want to select persons who desire, as I do, that “the Lord (would be) in the midst of (us)”. This would lend credence to my sincerity, and would help to ease the tension that may have been created between me and my brother. By doing this, not only will we gain a brother or sister, but our witnesses will as well!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...


I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy