Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

Things that lead to momentary pleasures?

Or for eternal rewards?

God, you see, has a heart for the lost.

Do we?

Lord, stir our hearts.

Let our lives not be wasted.

Grip us.

Motivate us.

Impact us that we might be used to impact others.

And as with all things...

it starts and continues with prayer.

Lord, give us a burning passion for prayer.

That was from Wednesday night corporate prayer meeting.

At the youth centre last night we were talking Matthew 18:15-17

First point being to show him, the sinning brother, his fault.

But what do we often do instead?

Justify.

Talk to others. (Gossip.)

Avoid the issue.

Defer to others in authority higher up.

Get angry.

It says, "just between the two of you."

No audience.

No chance to perform for the crowds. (A common occurrence among youth.)

And what's the goal?

To win them over.

Versus trying to win an argument.

Part 3 of the process is go to the church.

Where do we often go?

The boss if the issue's at work.

Or the courts.

God says go to the church.

Do we even think to do that?

But, then, what is the church?

And...what church do we go to?

One suggestion...find someone(s) who both sides can agree upon to meet with.

Because we need witnesses.

The question came up...

Do we care enough about our friend to be willing to lose the friendship?

If part 3 of the process doesn't work...

treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

And how do we treat them?

With love.

Not with excommunication necessarily.

I say "necessarily" because of 1 Corinthians 5.

And that's where our Bible study ended.