“Win Your Brother Over; Show Him His Fault!”

“Win Your Brother Over; Show Him His Fault!”(Mt.18::15-20).
It takes two to start a quarrel, in the same wsy that it takes two to tango. Blame is never solely on one side. Reconciliation is often difficult due to the claim of self-justification by one or both parties.
Accepted that you are not the cause of the rift, it may be accepted that you are justified by refusing to make the first move towards reconciliation.
But the biblical prescription states otherwise. “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 over your brother.” In the case where he refuses to listen you take two persons along to serve as your witnesses so that when you say, “At least I tried my best,” they’ll be there to vouch for you. If the brother is still adamant, you should tell the church and if he refuses to listen to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Treating him like a pagan has become one basis to establish excommunication when somebody fails to respond to church discipline. The question is “How do I treat a pagan?” The answer is implied by Paul: “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother”(II Th.3:14).
To dissociate with the person is not punishment. It is aimed at bringing the person to repentance. This only clarify that treating that person as a pagan is the fourth and final step still aimed at winning over your brother.
Dear friend, this is very personal. You miss the point when you do not follow these stages in order to win over your brother who has sinned against you.
Do not claim righteousness because it is your brother who sinned against you. Make the first move towards reconciliation. The Lord Jesus Christ is telling you to do what his father has already done for you. You have sinned against God, but he took the step towards reconciliation as it is written, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.”(II Cor.5:19-21).
The decision we take on earth on reconciliation is binding in heaven as long as it is in conformity to any one of the four steps for reconciliation. Reconciliation is an agreement of two to walk together (Am.3:3).
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to win over my brother as you give me the courage to go and show him his fault just between the two of us. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.