I tend to think "are spiritual" is defined by vs. 25 (i.e. the chapter break
isn't helpful here)... those who 'are spiritual" are those who "live by the
Spirit" and "walk by the Spirit". "Are spiritual" might be me, today,
restoring you, and it might be you, tomorrow, restoring me.
I think you're right about there being no rigid number of visits... the
first two steps in Matthew 18 are there precisely because Christ is
presuming Galatians 6 and Hebrews 3, 12 (before they are written.. :-)) and
a host of other "body-ethic" issues such as gossip, slander, etc.... in the
process of one-anothering, what is private stays private. It only goes
public (the church) when there is a lack of private repentance.
I also agree most issues are resolved by Galatians 6 and Hebrews 3, 12;
taking it to the step of witnesses and the church, IMHO, are measures of
last resort, when mutual submission and restoration have failed.
Chad Bresson
Xenia, OH
----- Original Message -----
From: "James W. Allen" <jallen@...>
To: <soundofgrace@...>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Matthew 18:15-17
> I agree entirely with Harry's reference to Galatians, which is an
important
> consideration in any such situation.
>
> This is another reason that I think the elders must be involved, and
> involved as soon as possible. The directive of Galatians is to those who
> "are spiritual," which (we hope) would include the elders. As the
spiritual
> leaders of the church, their early participation can help to promote the
> ends of Galatians 6:1 so that the "end" of Matthew 18 may be avoided,
except
> where true non-repentance is the issue.
>
> My experience has been that much of what is treated as "non-repentance"
> under Matthew 18 may actually be the result of other issues that a
spiritual
> man might have been able to recognize and address.
>
> An aggrieved man under Matthew 18 should (I think) take his grievance to
the
> elders, who should go to the accused man and determine the truth of the
> matter. If sin is the problem, then they seek restoration (Galatians 6:1)
> and if the man cannot be restored (will not give up his sin), then they
> bring it to the church (final step of Matthew 18).
>
> I also do not believe that Matthew 18 sets a rigid formula of the number
of
> visits. I think the "coming to him with witnesses" may be more than one
> meeting. We are not bound to tell someone "repent right now or we tell the
> church on Sunday" the first time we meet with him. Give time for the
elders
> to work and for wisdom to find a place.
>
> Timothy is advised that even those in opposition are to be treated with
> gentleness.
>
> James W. Allen
> jallen@...
>
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