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Dealing with Evil Reports, October 12
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast
gained thy brother.
Matthew 18:15
.
“Above all things,” the apostle writes, “have fervent charity among
yourselves” (
1 Peter 4:8
). Do not listen to reports against a brother or a
sister. Be very cautious how you take up a reproach against your neighbor.
Ask the one who brings the accusation if he has obeyed the word of God
in regard to this matter. Christ has left explicit directions as to what should
be done. Go to your brother and tell him his fault between him and you
alone. Do not excuse yourself from this, saying, There is no personal
grievance between the one who is accused and myself. The rules given by
Christ are so definite, so explicit, that this excuse is not valid.
Whether or not the grievance is between you and the one accused,
the injunction of Christ is the same. Your brother needs help. Tell him,
not someone else, that reports are being circulated about him. Give him
opportunity to explain. It is possible that the reports are false and that the
difficulties may be adjusted by some simple explanation. This treatment
is due every one supposed to be in error.
Paul says, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted” (
Galatians 6:1
).... These words are the injunction
of Heaven, and they are to be brought into the daily practice. If one is at
fault, instead of telling someone else of this, go to the one you think to be
in error, and tenderly and respectfully, as you would wish to be treated
were you in his place, tell him of his mistake. If he is not told of his fault,
but instead there are surmisings among others, and no effort is made to
save the erring one by telling him of his danger, how will God look upon
those who do this cruel work?
God declares, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (
Romans 3:10
).
All have the same sinful nature. All are liable to make mistakes. No one
is perfect. The Lord Jesus died for the erring that they might be forgiven.
It is not our work to condemn. Christ did not come to condemn, but to
save.
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