Daily Walk With Christ COCIN Devotional MONDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2023

SUB-THEME: SEEK THE PEACE OF THE LAND.

TEXT: MATTHEW 18:15-20.

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him while the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. Lev 19:17 Pro 17:10 Luk 17:3 Jas 5:19

16 But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two others with you so that ‘every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ Num 35:30 Deu 17:6 Deu 19:15 Joh 8:17 2Co 13:1 Heb 10:28

17 If, however, he ignores them, tell it to the congregation. If he also ignores the congregation, regard him as an unbeliever and a tax collector. 1Co 5:9 2Th 3:14 2Th 3:14 [Rom 16:17] [1Co 5:11] [Eph 5:11] [2Ti 3:5] [Tit 3:10]

18 “I tell all of you with certainty, whatever you prohibit on earth will have been prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been permitted in heaven. Mat 16:19 Joh 20:23 [Psa 149:8]

19 Furthermore, I tell all of you with certainty that if two of you agree on earth about anything you request, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven,

20 because where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.” Luk 24:15 Luk 24:36

MESSAGE:

Reconciliation is at the heart of God. This is why he has given every believer the ministry of reconciliation. Today’s passage shows God’s pattern of reconciliation that is different from that of the world. Humanly, the offender should apologise and initiate reconciliation. However, in God’s pattern it is the offended that should initiate and make the efforts for reconciliation. There are three steps involved:

(i) One-on-one meeting,

(ii) Invite one or more witnesses if step one fails and

(iii) Invite the church if the second step

fails.

This agrees with God’s nature. That is how he initiated and carried out our reconciliation with him, “for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If believers follow God’s pattern, there will be peace and harmony in our world.

Follow God’s pattern to reconcile with those who have offended you.

God, give me grace to always initiate reconciliation. Amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH: PSALM 122:6-7

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace… within your citadels.”

TODAY’S READING PLAN: NUMBERS 9-12.