Kingdom Lessons from Matthew 18

The way of the Kingdom of God is so opposite of what my flesh chooses on its own.

If someone hurts me, even just some tiny, hurtful comment, I quickly fly to defend myself and hurt back if I can. 

But this is not His way.

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—

work it out between the two of you. 

If he listens, you've made a friend. 

If he won't listen, take one or two others along

so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest,

and try again.

If he still won't listen, tell the church.

If he won't listen to the church,

you'll have to start over from scratch,

confront him with the need for repentance,

and offer again God's forgiving love."

 --

Matthew 18:15-17

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This whole chapter seems to be a pattern for us.

Is the order of these verses and that they are all together important? 

Do they give more insight into living the way of the Kingdom?

It is not about us being right.

It is not about condemnation, penance, punishment.

It is about concern for another.

It is about patience.

It is about mercy.

It is about forgiveness.

When a fellow believer has hurt us, 

we go to her, talk with her, 

give her many chances to see her sin and repent.

(Matthew 18:15-17)

Right after those verses, 

Jesus talks about the importance of our words

and how powerful it is for us to get together

with another believer and agree in prayer.

(Matthew 18:18-20)

Should we be praying for the believer who hurt us? 

(No gossip, no hurtful chatter...)

Immediately following this is Peter's question

about how many times we are to forgive.

(Seventy times seven is Jesus' answer.)

Jesus rounds out His answer by telling the Kingdom story

about forgiveness. What happens to the servant who

was forgive much who refuses to forgive in return?

Forgive, for we have been forgiven all.

"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant!

I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.

Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to

your fellow servant who asked for mercy?"

 --

Matthew 18:32

Kingdom living does not come from ourselves.

Forgiveness is not always easy and is not always what we want to do.

It at times is an act of sheer obedience.

•

Work hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire

and the power to do what pleases him.

--

Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

•

Be honest before the Lord.

Pour out your heart to Him.

Ask Him to give you the desire and the power to forgive.

He wants us to follow Him, rely on Him, take the yoke He gives us to bear.

He will not leave us alone, to do His way on our own.

He who has forgiven much will help us to forgive as well.

Prayer from Colossians 1

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, 

we haven't stopped praying for you, 

asking God to give you wise minds and spirits 

attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding 

of the ways in which God works. 

We pray that you'll live well for the Master, 

making him proud of you as you work hard 

in his orchard. As you learn more and more

how God works, you will learn how to do your work.

We pray that you'll have the strength

to stick it out over the long haul—

not the grim strength of gritting your teeth

but the glory-strength God gives.

It is strength that endures the unendurable

and spills over into joy, thanking the Father

who makes us strong enough to take part

in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

~ Colossians 1:9-12 ~ 

 

I haven't been super faithful about praying for my kids. But as I read this today I realized that I wanted these verses to be true for them. I want them to be true for me and my husband, and for you too!

Wise minds and spirits attuned to His will.

A thorough understanding of the ways God works.

Working hard at God's work, watching Him closely, following His example.

Full of the glory-strength that only He can give. 

Spilling over with joy and thanksgiving.

Strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful He has for us.

Once again I see that it is all about Him. He is our Source, He is our Example, He is the Creator and the Planner and the One who gives Purpose and Wisdom and Understanding. 

He provides the work and the strength to do it. He fills us with joy as we follow Him doing the work He has prepared for us to do. 

Oh Holy Spirit work God's love into my life, into my kids' lives, and my huband's life. Continue to draw us always back to You. Be first and foremost in our minds and our hearts. Open our eyes to see You all around us. Help us to be God revealers to all we come in contact with. Thank You for being our All-in-All.