The next few epistle articles are devotions concerning the “Peter Plan”, a program that St. John will be implementing to reach out to our fellow St. John members, especially those who are straying, with his Word.

The Peter Plan: Take One or Two Others

Matthew 18:15-18 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “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.”

In this portion of Scripture, Jesus gives his Church what we often call The Ministry of the Keys—the privilege to proclaim to the repentant that heaven’s doors are wide open to them, and the responsibility to proclaim to the impenitent that heaven’s doors will be closed and to them. Even in instituting this difficult work, Jesus shows nothing but love! Let us count the ways.

1. Jesus shows love to the one who is caught in sin when he states the goal we have as we speak to them—not to shame or berate them. The goal is to “win them over” for Christ.

2. Jesus shows love to the one who is caught in sin by calling for a gradual progression of admonishment. To protect the reputation of the individual, it is desirable that as few people as possible know about the sin.

3. Jesus shows love to the one who is caught in sin by calling for more individuals to be involved as time goes on. Maybe the person dismisses the warning of one church member as the overly pious concern of a “goody-goody”. What will he think when two or three members talk to him? Jesus is willing to lovingly apply more and more pressure so that the sinner’s heart may be broken. Then, it will be quickly healed with the Gospel.

4. Jesus shows love for the one who confronts the sin by assuring him that he will not have to do the job alone. If the individual does not repent, others will join in the task of trying to win him over. Other witnesses confirm the truth of the situation.

5. Jesus shows love to the church by letting them know the status of the individual who refuses to repent. They can join in the attempts to call the individual to repentance in love.

6. Jesus shows love to the church by eventually letting them know the unrepentant individual is not part of the congregation. This is a loving warning to the church body that unrepentant sin causes separation.

7. Jesus shows a final love to the person who refuses to repent of their sin by taking away any carnal security he might have. “I’ll be fine on Judgment Day. I’m a member of the church!” Not anymore. Hopefully, the loss of that false security will serve as a wake-up call.

Church discipline is all about love. Jesus shows love for absolutely everyone when he encourages church discipline. Church discipline will involve multiple individuals. This cannot be “the pastor’s job.” Certainly, the pastor is intimately involved in the process as the head under-shepherd of the congregation. But it is God’s will that the congregation be involved in a church discipline program without sole reliance on the pastor.

Church discipline will involve a gradual increase in admonition. It might take dozens of conversations which include loving rebukes and encouragements. Jesus’ point is simply that gradually more people will become involved. Now may he give us the Holy Spirit, so that we might apply his words wisely.