Rules or opportunities?
by Pastor Chris Mann
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Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).
Have you ever been overwhelmed by a list of jobs, chores, or instructions? I know I have. Life can sometimes do that. And sometimes, reading the Bible does that to me, too.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve sat through sermons and Bible studies where the pastor or leader has given a list of instructions for how to live a godly life, and at the end of it, I feel anything but godly. And this week’s set of passages have instruction after instruction, but in them, we will find grace, hope, and a pathway forward.
And, in my life as a pastor, I’m also aware of having done the same to people who have heard me preach or lead a study.
The passage that we’ve read today has a lot in it, and ironically enough, seems to get used sometimes by us Christians as a weapon when we point out someone’s fault. People say, ‘Aha! I have caught you in a sin! Now, Jesus compels me to tell you!’
For this reason, I like to think of Jesus and how he related to sinners. Most often, it was with gentleness, humility, respect, and grace, but at the same time, with the necessary firmness required. That, of course, is how he deals with me.
And so, it helps me to remember that when I think of someone else’s sin against me – if they belong to God, if they are baptised, if they believe, if they follow – then Jesus is present with them. That person is holy. And if I want to talk with them about sin, I’m moving towards a holy, grace-filled and restorative moment.
And that changes my perspective.
No longer is this passage a play-by-play rule book, but it is Jesus giving us an opportunity to give and receive grace as children of God.
Heavenly Father, help me to see you in my brother or sister who sins against me and help me to look for holy moments with them. In Jesus name, Amen.
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