Embracing Matthew 18

Every time any accusation is made against anyone in public, it seems to me there is always someone there to parrot “Matthew 18. Matthew 18.”  For those who do not immediately get the reference, let me quote the verse they are referring to be this one word, one number rebuke:

Matthew 18:15  "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.

At least among biblical Christians, this reminder that our rebuke of a brother’s sin should be done privately with the offending brother alone often is mentioned quickly by at least someone.  And in most cases ((Public sins can be a different matter. Although even in this case, the primary concern should be first for the sinning brother.)), it is good that it is.  Certainly, many people (and all of us at one time or another) talk about other’s sins to everyone but that person.  This rebuke is often necessary among we human that are so prone to destroy other with our tongues.  It is good in those situations that someone says, “Shut your mouth and go to your brother.” 

But I never hear people parroting “Matthew 18.  Matthew 18.” in regards to the rest of the instructions found there:

Matthew 18:15-18  If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Truly it seems to me that the whole point of the rebuke I hear is usually just a way to say, “Let us never deal with sin beyond the private rebuke.  That is messy.  It offends people.”  And no doubt it is messy and offensive. Unrepentant sin is a mess especially among the Christian community. It is an offense against Christ himself.  But that does not mean when can stop reading Matthew 18 half way through verse 15.

When someone has been rebuked privately repeatedly without any repentance, someone should be chanting, “Matthew 18. Matthew 18.” Bring in one or two witness, perhaps elders of the church or other chosen godly people.  And if that does not bring the brother back, then the refrain must go up again, “Matthew 18. Matthew 18.”  The sin must be told to the whole congregation.  And if that brings not repentance, then again the chorus must sound, “Matthew 18. Matthew 18.”  The person must be treated  as an unbeliever by the whole congregation because that is exactly what they are:

Matthew 18:18  Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Anyone who truly enjoys practicing church discipline is likely sick and does not have the Spirit of Christ.  But anyone who does not do it when it becomes necessary is ignoring our Lord.

Luther went as far as to say that when we do not embrace all of Matthew 18, it can cast some dispersion on the execution of the keys by God’s called servants in forgiving sin:

I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself. (Small Catechism)

Who cares about a key that can open a door when that same door that is never locked.

Why practice church discipline?  Let me summarize the reasons in relative order of their importance:

1. For the sake of the sinner.  This is the first concern always.  The unrepentant sinner without discipline will most likely remain in sin and suffer eternal death.  Discipline is love. (Hebrews 12:6 …the Lord disciplines the one he loves)
2. For the sake of all those in the assembly. If unrepentant sin is allowed to simply reign in the church, others will fall under its power.  (1 Corinthians 5:6  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?) 
3. For the sake of confidence in the Office of the Keys (the power of the Church to forgive sins on earth).  See above.
4. For the sake of the lost.    When the name of Christ is not kept holy among us (which is what occurs when we allow those remaining in unrepentant sins to continue to claim the name of Christ), the lost do not see Christ as they should and that becomes a stumbling block to belief.
5. For the sake of God’s promise.  God has promises that his word call, gathers, and enlightens all people.  That is as true of the rebuking word and it is the forgiving word.
6. For the sake of God’s command.  He has directed us to do this.

Yes, we cannot only embrace one half verse of Matthew 18.  We must embrace it all.