restoration process

Matthew 18:15-17

The key word in this passage is listen. It is repeated three times. Jesus is teaching his disciples what to do when another disciple sins. In the immediate context it is likely that Jesus is specifically referencing the sin of individualism and causing a humbled one to stumble. This is reinforced by the assumed response of the offender - they don't listen.
The process Jesus lays out is for one person who notices the sin to point out the fault to the other disciple in private. If the offending disciple does not listen, the one who noticed the sin should take one or two others along. If the offending disciple still does not listen, the one who noticed the sin should inform the faith community. If the offending disciple still does not listen, the church is to treat them like a pagan or tax collector.
There are two things that convict me. The first is that I skip the first step in the process entirely. I am too much of a politician and I want to know that people will back me up if I go and confront someone so I reveal the offense to a few others before I go to the offender. This is gossip! I must stop doing this! I must grow a pair and stop being afraid of confrontation that I know is, for the most part, motivated by love. Most of the time I truly want the best for the person I need to confront.
Second is how the church is supposed to treat the unrepentant offender. I think I've read this so long as, "Cast that person out and have nothing to do with them." I think what Jesus is saying is, "If they do not listen to the church, they are likely not truly my disciple. You must speak the truth in love to them in the same way that you would speak truth in love to anyone who is not yet my disciple. You must pursue them like the shepherd pursues the lost sheep. You must lead them to repentance and to true faith." In the context of the shepherd of 100 sheep who loses one, this reading makes the most sense. This is why I love doing devo's this way - I am more consistent which allows me to see things in context better which gives me a better and fuller understanding of the Word. Thanks for doing this with me!

confronting Peter

Galatians 2:11-16

The key words are: Jew and Gentile, law and faith, justified. Paul compares Judaic Christianity to the message of freedom that he preaches; even relating an incident where he confronted Peter for siding with the Judaizers out of fear. Paul's point to Peter is that we are not justified by following the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. I think there is a secondary point that Paul is making to his audience: Paul is at least equal to Peter in the authourity that God has granted him to grow the Church of Christ (as evidenced by Paul confronting Peter publicly).
What I notice from this passage is the transformation the gospel had in Peter - he strikes me as an impulsive person but one who could be a bit hard core when it comes to the Law. This is seen in Acts when he refuses to eat "unclean" animals. Paul points out that Peter is no longer living like a Jew but like a Gentile. This means that Peter's understanding of the message of Jesus has completely changed his view on what is necessary to achieve justification.
The other thing I notice is Peter's humility. We don't read of any split in the Church happening because of this confrontation (which means that Paul must also have been humble in the way that he approached it - although his words sound pretty harsh) so Peter must have heard what Paul said, recognized the truth of it and changed. I know that when someone confronts me, my default is defensive (which quickly moves to offensive). This ministry is not about me. My life is not about me. Everything I do is supposed to be about bringing glory to God. If I can remember that, then I can listen to criticism because I might learn something I could do to better bring glory to God and seek his kingdom.