“…moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother…” Matthew 18:15
As a Christian, do you know that you are not allowed to hold an offense against your fellow Christian brother or sister? Do you know that when you are offended by your brother in the Lord, you are expected to let him know so that the matter can be settled? Well, in case you do not know, I am telling you now. Our Lord Jesus Christ specifically told us in our opening text that if a brother sins against us we should not keep it to ourselves but try to reach out to him and let him know his fault. He knew that keeping it to ourselves could be very dangerous to us because that would mean that we are harboring resentment. So he suggested that we reach out and let it out. He doesn’t want us keeping it to ourselves and brooding over it as is the manner of some today. He knew that doing this would make us end up in sin and cause us to stumble in the word. So He gave us a recommendation of what should be done when you find yourself in such a situation.
Now, having seen such a recommendation from the Lord, your responsibility is to hearken to this and appropriate it in your life. Refuse to keep anything in your heart against anyone in the fold who has offended you. In the first place refuse to take offense by any little thing and if ever you find yourself offended, go straight to the one who has offended you and let the person know what he or she has done. When you do this, you are giving that man or woman the chance to see what he or she has done and change. Also when you reach out, you are giving yourself the opportunity to let go of the hurt or the offense and be free. So the question is, who has offended you lately? Who is that person that has brought you pain or disappointment? Don’t hold it against them, rather approach them and let them know what they have done so that they can change. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, when you act like this, you have gained a brother. You might say but what if they do not listen? Well, the chances are there that they would listen because you are offering a chance for peace here. But if they do not, at least you know you have done your part and you have cleared your conscience.
Today’s Rhema
Speak to your brother about their mistakes and let go of the offense!
Confession for the Day
Thank you heavenly for the wisdom you have given to me today through your word. I refuse to hold resentment against anybody. I chose to communicate all offenses with the people concerned and as I do this, my relationships are improving in Jesus name. Amen!
