"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won the person back."
If you feel you have been wronged by another believer what do you do? Do you show them the fault privately and between yourselves? Do you try to avoid compounding the offense by telling others? By involving others you make it more difficult to win that person back. The best approach is to use the Lord's plan. It is as simple as one, two, three!
Step one is to go the person privately and tell them that they have offended you, and what that offense is. If they listen and agree with you and confess the sin to you, you have both won. The most important thing not to do is tell others about the offense. This inflames the problem and makes it more difficult and complex to overcome. You actually commit an offense yourself by gossiping. If step one is unsuccessful, then you go to step two in the Lord's plan.
Step two is to take one or two other believers with you to discuss the offense. This is important so that your words can be confirmed and the offenders reply is understood. The offender will either listen to you and the others and agree, or they will disagree with you and may even refuse to believe or obey the Word of the Lord. The matter should still remain private between the two or three parties to the offense. If step two fails then you should go to step three in the Lord's plan.
Step three is to take the matter to the pastor of your church. If they agree with you that an offense has been committed and that you have acted appropriately by confronting the issue alone and then with one or two others, you can proceed. This implies that the offender has refused to listen to you and the others. This indicates that you have tried to do the right thing. The offender is acting as a non believer and you should separate yourself from them. You must forgive them for any offense of sin against you, but you are not obligated to continue a relationship or fellowship with them. Praise the Lord, that He forgives our sins and offenses and thank God that we can forgive and forget about the offenses and debts of others. By shining your light in this matter you may be a lamp to the offender. You have the peace of knowing that you have followed the Lord's plan. It is as simple as ONE - TWO - THREE!
