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Matthew 18 – Stay Out of My Church
Stay Out of My Church!
If we won’t worship in the same church with a brother or sister because of what they did to us, then how can we worship God considering what we’ve done to Him?
“Oh, but I have repented!”
Are you sure you have repented of every sin?
“Yes, of every sin I know.”
What about the sins you don’t know?
“I ask God to forgive me of those too.”
How about extending that same grace to your brothers or sisters who don’t know they have sinned against you! If we continue to be unwilling to forgive the ignorant, what do you think God will do about our continual sinning in ignorance? This isn’t about God’s revenge on us; it is about God not giving us what we are not willing to give to others. When you think about it, that is very law-like, lex talionis, and an eye for an eye. I need to show others grace so that I too can receive it. Only then can I appreciate God’s gift when I am willing to give that gift to others (Matthew 18:23-35).
One more thing. It isn’t our church! And starting a new one is still not our church!
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