afazio - Spiritual Authority

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Drake

-3

Aron,

The imperative of this section of Matthew chapter 18 is forgiveness of your brother.... 70x7 times (v22) is the number of times we are charged to forgive a brother and by not forgiving a brother completely as he was forgiven by His Master will result in the Heavenly Father (v35) delivering that evil slave (v32) to the torturers (v34) for a complete and thorough repayment.

Whatever other utility you derive from this scripture do not miss that!

Now, you’ve appropriated this verse to make a different point (justifying airing your grievances in a public chat forum) but the point you seek to establish is the very opposite point the scripture makes... that of forgiving your brother of what seems an endless number of times. If one has forgiven their brother then what accounts are left unsettled (v23)? That was the message to Peter (v21-22).... not just seven times forgiving but forgiving to the point you lose track as you were also forgiven by the Master.

Furthermore, the Master is the only One qualified to mete out justice and He does and so the servants leave the matter in His capable hands.

Drake

A teacher of the word is subject to a much stricter judgement.

Think of the hypocrisy, WL wrote a biography of Watchman Nee, yet if others also write biographies that are less flattering they are "airing their grievances in public". If that were true you set yourself up as judge to write history.

Witness Lee also set himself forth as an example. If he can give his life as an example to others then it is right that others can also discuss his life and example. You can't discuss Witness Lee's life without discussing LSM and the publication policy that affected all saints and was the basis to excommunicate Titus Chu.

Also the portion you quote is in context. The person went to them and told them their sin. Now there are two possible responses, they refused to hear, in which case you move on to tell it to others and ultimately to the church. The other possibility is that they do hear you and beg forgiveness. If that happens there are two possibilities, the person forgives them or else they are self righteous and refuse. This chapter is balanced. If you seek out the person who sinned and they repent you are obligated to forgive them just as Christ forgave you. If they refuse to hear you then you are obligated to ultimately tell it to the church.