Matthew 18:15-20

The heart of a Christian is characterized by a desire for fellowship Matthew 18:15-20: God provided a way for brethren to settle their differences. God's way always works. If your brothers wrongs you: (1) Go and tell him his fault, just you and him alone, (2) If he will not hear, take one or two with you to plead with him, (3) If he will not hear have the church plead with him, and (4) If he still refuses to hear treat him as "a heathen and a tax collector." Those things declared as improper and unlawful must be so declared by Heaven. Those things permitted as proper and lawful must be so accepted by Heaven.

This action demands a lot of prayer. It would also make sense for us to confess our own faults first. The prayers of the faithful reach the throne of God. "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20) Sincere, earnest prayer has a great influence with the Almighty.

We must deal gently with the brother because he may not even be aware of the fact that he has sinned against us. That is why we first talk to him and not to others. This approach must be made with a spirit of meekness. God's desire in all of this is that fellowship be restored. This is a matter that should be approached with all seriousness. Souls are at stake!