“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them, and if they repent, forgive them.”
Do you know what you might find out if you have been sinned against by a brother or sister in Christ and you decide to obey the Lord’s command in Luke 17:3 and actually confront that person face to face and put forward an honest and respectful rebuke in hope of repentance?
Maybe … he is sincerely sorry.
Maybe … she really is unaware of the hurt she caused.
Maybe … he actually wants to be a better person.
Maybe … it was all a misunderstanding.
Maybe … her actions and words were somewhat justified.
Maybe … you were just as much in the wrong.
Maybe … he had a good reason you just weren’t aware of.
Maybe … you misheard her.
Maybe … it was in retaliation for a hurt you caused him.
And maybe … just maybe … a deep, Christ-honoring reconciliation is possible.
And do you know what you won’t find out if you decide instead to disobey Luke 17:3?
Anything that might disturb your sweet, smug embrace of a self-righteous anger against a fellow servant of Christ.
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