MATTHEW 18: 15
"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."
Another believer has wronged you, what should you do? The One Truth Today tells us to go to them privately and show them the offense. One should not compound the offense by telling it to others. That will make it more difficult to win the other person back. The best way to respond is to use the Lord's plan, it is as easy as one, two, three. Step one: go the person that offended you privately and tell them they have offended you and what the offense is. If they listen and agree with you then you will have won the person back. It is important that you not tell others about the offense as it will only inflame the problem. You actually commit an offense by gossiping. If step one is not successful then you proceed to step two!
Step two: A second time you will go to the person that offended you, only this time you will take one or two believer's with you to discuss the offense. If the person agrees with you and confesses the offense you have both won. If not, the offense has been confirmed by one or two others. If the offender refuses to listen to your position or disagrees with you, the matter should still remain private between the parties. If step two has failed, then you need to go to step three!
Step three: It is time to take the matter to the pastor of your church. If they agree that an offense has been committed, and that you have acted appropriately in following steps one and two, then you can proceed. Implied in this is that the offender has refused to listen to you and to the others. The offender is now acting like a non believer. You will separate yourself from the matter and allow a third party to arbitrate, in this case your pastor. It is your obligation to forgive them of any offense, but you are not obligated to continue the relationship. Just as the Lord forgives all of our sins, we must be prepared to forgive those who sin against us. You must be a shining light to others. Now it is in the hands of the pastor to mediate and facilitate the two believer's to come together again. You will have peace regardless of the outcome because you have followed the Lord's plan. It is as easy as ONE, TWO, THREE!
