Daily Devotional For Friday, December 26, 2025
Note: In each devotional where you see only the reference to a Bible passage without the verse (ex. John 3:16), that is a direct link to that passage online. All you have to do is click on that reference and you will be taken to the verse itself. Thank you.
I pray that your Christmas was one of celebrating with family and friends. I hope you took time as a family to read the Christmas story found in two Gospels: Luke 2:1-20 and in Matthew 1:18-25. The main reason we give gifts is because God our Father gave us the very best gift ever that same gift wrapped in swaddling clothes. We had paused for a couple of days our journey through the Gospel of Matthew to celebrate the birth of Jesus in devotionals on December 24 & 25. We are making our way through Matthew’s Gospel and today we are going to limit our devotional to just Matthew 18:15-17
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. (16) But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. (17) If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector” (NLT).
This is where we left off in Matthew on Tuesday, December 23. As we saw on Tuesday, the principles laid out by Jesus in confronting a Christian brother or sister imply this is a single person. We know that from the words “privately” and in some of the pronouns of “you” – they are singular not plural. This has nothing to do with a very open and public scandal against a larger group in a church body involving heresy, blasphemy or apostasy. The individual has sinned. Has made no attempt to admit their sin, confess their sin, repent from their sin nor make right the wrong from their sin.
When the sin is against us personally, we are commanded to go to that person in an attitude of love and confront them. Look at the wisdom in Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy” (NASB). Yes, confronting that person may hurt their feelings or even make them very defensive. Many Christians instead of confronting resort to 3 wrong reactions:
- Overlooking or ignoring the offense is not loving according to Jesus.
- Only praying about the offense is not loving according to Jesus.
- Openly gossiping about the offense is not loving according to Jesus.
The key to success here is the awareness that holding others accountable is a two-way street, not a one-way street. You have to leave the door open for that same person or another person to confront you and hold you accountable as well. When done in humility, love and openness to be held accountable as well may build a bridge to them so that they do not get defensive or blow up in your face with anger. Look at the word of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:1, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (NLT). And if this person heeds the Holy Spirit in their heart and repents, then the relationship is healed and restored. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 18:15, “. . . you have won that person back” (NASB). In this case the issue is over and closed.
I would offer some additional advice. In an age of technology and digital devices, this has to be done in person. Using a text message or an email is not the best way. Even a handwritten or typed letter is not the best means either. New Testament scholar William Barclay writes this:
“More trouble has been caused by the writing of letters than by almost anything else. A letter may be misread or misunderstood; it may quite unconsciously convey a tone it was never meant to convey. If we have a difference with someone, there is only one way to settle it—and that is face to face. The spoken word can often settle a difference which the written word would only have exacerbated” (Source: William Barclay, The Daily Bible Study Series, “The Gospel of Matthew,” p. 219).
If a person-to-person meet is not possible, then you could use a video phone call. Yes, person-to-person is very uncomfortable, but it is the best way according to Jesus. The word “church” in the Gospels is only found in Matthew’s Gospel – not Mark, Luke or John. In this case, if the matter fails through the person confrontation, and then with 2-3 witnesses, and then is brought before the church, this does not necessarily mean the whole church as in a Sunday morning service or a Business Meeting. The goal is not to humiliate them, but to pray for humility on your part to confront and humility on their part to repent.
Most likely “before the church” would mean qualified godly, holy and righteous leaders such as elders or the staff or to a small, intentionally chosen godly, holy, righteous and humble people. If it does not bring about confession and repentance, then you are to treat them like a “pagan.” What does that mean? They are to be removed from any leadership positions and even church membership. From this point on until there is confession and repentance they are to be treated like an outsider. The Apostle Paul gives us more guidelines in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.
I close with a warning from pastor and author John MacArthur about maintaining the balance between being too soft or too hard and legalism and license:
“The work of discipline should be undertaken with the greatest care. Done in the wrong way or in the wrong spirit it can do great damage by fostering self-righteousness and legalism, just as discipline not done at all causes great damage by allowing sin’s influence to spread like leaven” (Source: John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 137).
Assignment: Reflect and answer > How willing are you to obey Jesus in this matter? Has this ever happened to you? How did you respond? How did you see it? If you have ever done this, what were the results? Why do you think believers typically do not do this?
Scripture To Meditate On: Job 5:17-18, “But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. (18) For though He wounds, He also bandages. He strikes, but His hands also heal” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, open my heart to be held accountable. Help me to be humble and help me to humbly confront a believer who sins against me. Lord, help me with the balance and give me the love, courage and humility to do this when needed. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly