Sunday, April 7, 2019

The Forgiveness-Prayer Connection

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16 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. 17 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. 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. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18)
Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that greatness in His kingdom is found in humility and a concern for the spiritual well-being of others. While He was on a roll, talking about them with about what really matters, HE goes on to bring up a connection He made elsewhere: Why should we expect God to forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive others? Why are we so bent on making oneness between us and our brothers their problem and responsibility? Why do we expect God to hear any of our prayers if we cannot even get along and agree on what is important?  In other words - keep the lines of communication open, with God and with one another, by being open and honest with Him and one another. Don't let any unforgiveness or bitterness block the way to the powerful force of prayer - our commitment to be on the same page with God together. 

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