Offense

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 a brother over. But if he will not listen take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them take it to the church, if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17

How many people in your world are treated like a pagan or tax collector without going through due process? How many brothers and sisters have been isolated by offense and not reunited by good conflict resolution?

The very fact that we have been offended is an offense to us and the thought of restitution an insult. Why?

Perhaps we have not taken the matter to the Lord and forgiven them who trespass against us. God alone is the worker of miracles and every broken instance in our lives need a miracle, be it body, soul or spirit, He is the only glue that works.

We cannot go to our brother or sister without first going to the Lord, because we are unclean and all we will successfully do is spew forth venom and not grace.

We know where venom comes from don't we? The other guy.

Remember salvation belongs to our God. If we play by His rules it works. Amen!