Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 5:13–15, 6:1–5

Bible Studies for Life
Director, Extension Division, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Confront in Love
Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 5:13–15, 6:1–5
Confrontation. For many of us, the word conjures up unpleasant images of conflicts. Sometimes we remember those who have approached others or us in a harsh and aggressive manner. Other times, we recall situations where we or others have gone to great lengths to avoid any adversarial circumstance. Scripture teaches us, however, that we are to confront erring believers regarding their wrong actions. And God shows us in His Word how He expects us to handle this difficult task.

Process (Matt. 18:15–17)
In this passage, Jesus explains to the disciples the proper approach toward one who has been living a life of sin. First, He tells them to privately address the problem — just themselves and the individual. Secondly, if this attempt is rejected, then they are to try again but with the assistance of one or two other brothers or sisters in Christ. Should this effort fail, the church is then to be brought into the discussion. After all of these efforts have been exhausted, if the individual prefers to continue living apart from God, the church must treat him or her as an unbeliever.

Principle (Gal. 5:13–15)
While the Galatian church had a myriad of problems caused by outsiders, Paul uses this section of his letter to emphasize the freedom that comes with being a Christian. To help them address conflicts between believers, Paul offers them a clear, biblical approach — they are to address such situations by loving their neighbor in the same manner as they love themselves. He reminds them that “living in freedom” allows them to serve each other instead of serving sin — which is no freedom at all. Paul adds that to do the opposite — to continue “biting and devouring each other” — will lead to their own destruction.

Purposes (Gal. 6:1–5)
Paul then explains how the spiritually mature Galatian Christians are to treat those who are enslaved to sin. Again the approach to correct is to be done in love or “gently.” These believers are challenged to carry the burdens of the other and not become prideful of their own spiritual condition — which could result in their downfall. Paul reminds them that the key to “winning back” the one who has strayed lies with their willingness to examine their actions and attitudes toward the weak. Furthermore they are to make sure that they are not judging others by standards they aren’t willing to apply to themselves.

Biblical correction and discipline are seldom discussed but should be. God expects us to hold each other accountable for our actions in a manner consistent with His Word. But so often, we do it wrongly. We avoid confrontation because we fear hurting another’s feelings, losing friends or being seen as uncaring and unkind. Other times, we may not want to see another corrected and forgiven. But Scripture makes it clear that if we don’t love our brother, we can’t claim to love God. It is even possible that some might take a prideful and “high-handed” approach and arrogantly “put down” the sinner and work hard to “keep them down.” None of these attitudes displays any degree of love toward the offender.

The ultimate goal of any discipline should be redemption and restoration — whether we are correcting children, co-workers, criminals or brothers and sisters in Christ. And if a satisfactory solution is to be reached, love is the key. God commands and expects us to reach out in love and humility to those living in opposition to God. In doing so, we often learn that the one in question is amazed that anyone cared, doesn’t think he or she is worthy of fellowship and is stunned to know that God still loves and forgives.

The most important thing to remember about God’s method of church discipline is that this is how He deals with us. No matter what we’ve done, how sinful we’ve lived or how rebellious we’ve acted, God continually rebukes, corrects, redeems and restores us because He loves us and desires that we be with Him. He never stops loving or calling us back. In doing so, He sets the example and declares His expectation for how we are to treat each other.