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.
This verse (Matthew 18:18), often taken out of context, finds itself applied to spiritual matters especially related to the restriction of the activity and authority of demons. While some application to this matter does merit consideration, the context of this verse relates to the role that our authority has within very human conflicts in the church.*
I sometimes wonder if the church plays its proper role in representing justice. In the time of Jesus, synagogues served as local courts, helping to address the judicial issues of its community. Early Christians followed this example in their communities (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:4-5).* Justice and conflict within the church were established by God. What about today?
Are the people of God known for their justice? Are we known for how we resolve conflict?
Matthew 18:15-20 makes the road for conflict clear. The steps laid out seem simple enough, but they can become cloudy in the American church context. In a corporate structure intended to facilitate the ministry of the church (a church being a community of Christians pursuant of discipleship of Christ), who is the offender when hurtful decisions are hidden in layers of hierarchy? With whom should the biblical model of conflict be applied to when decisions are made outside of our relational reach? With whom should conversation occur?
In racial issues, where a system seems built and bent against people of certain skin tone or background, who is the offender? With whom do we take up the cause?
When decisions are made by upper leadership in government, business, education, or church that impact individuals in unforeseen though hurtful ways, with whom do we approach and how?
Jesus answers this question in verse 20:
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
How is this an answer? The spiritual implications of Matthew 18:15-20 draw us to understand that the presence of God in the context of conflict makes the difference; the inclusion of the Holy Spirit into the direction and content of conversation bring a unity in the church that transcends conformity to norms and requires conformity to the Spirit and Word of God.
Though we do not always know how to proceed in times of hurt, Jesus does. He is with us and speaks and leads and guides us by the words and unctions of the Holy Spirit.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to approach the person who has offended you. Perhaps God is asking you to abandon your version of conflict or justice and to adopt His. Maybe God is asking you to pause and pray for His leading in how and when to proceed in conflict.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 466–471, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 18:15–20) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).