Matthew 18:15-17
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
I have this scripture etched in my memory because of an incident.
I had a brand new Bible with my name on the outside cover and everything. I showed it to my pastor. He opened my new Bible and turned to this scripture and underlined it with a blue ink pen.
He then told me to always remember the scripture. It’s the correct way to deal with problems within the church.
I admit I was a little upset to have marks in my new Bible. It’s funny. It sounds like I’m upset over it and should go talk to the pastor but I got over it years and years ago.
I did a lot of underlining in that Bible myself.
And he was right.
Many times we tend to skip to two or three witnesses without the brother that sinned against us. We just go to others and talk about him.
Jesus reminds us it’s better to talk to an offender first. Many times you can forget about the rest.
All in all, it’s just best to get over it.