How do you come to an agreement with others? Are your agreements binding? As parents, how do you negotiate and agree on how you will punish your children’s bad behavior? Do you also show grace and forgiveness to them? Do you include God in your decisions?
Agreeing and disagreeing is different for each of us. We have our own experiences and learning, which become filters for our decision-making process. Make no mistake, to agree or disagree is a decision we make. Whether we think about it or not, our process includes our experiences and what we have learned.
The only other factor that can, and should, be added is God. If we are truly open to hearing God weigh in on our decision and seek his guidance in prayer, he will answer us. This applies to all our decisions. But in the passage below, Jesus is specifically speaking of discipline within the church. When the matter of discipline requires our attention, we need to consult God, especially in the church. If we are not consulting God, we are not guaranteed to make the right decision. However, when we do consult God and follow his lead, our decision is ratified in heaven.
It is interesting that Jesus says, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” We often recite or paraphrase this verse in many settings. However, the context for Jesus’ statement is church discipline. That is not to say that Jesus is not with us in the other situations. It is to say that He is especially interested in guiding us when we must discipline someone within the church.
Disciplining anyone is no fun. It is a challenge for many of us. We do not want to hurt someone else and falsely believe discipline will hurt them. However, it works opposite of our thinking. When we discipline someone in love, seeking their good, and they are willing to learn, discipline does them good rather than harm.
I pray we all are aware of our decision-making process. I pray we choose to include God in all decisions. I pray each one of us will seek God’s guidance for all disciplinary issues we may face in the church. Be aware of your decision-making process. Know discipline is good when done in love.
Matthew 18:18-20 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Marty Pressey 