Matthew 18:16 (NKJV) But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus has given us a three-step approach for confronting someone who has wronged or sinned against us. Verse 16 describes step 2 of the process. It takes both parties to bring about peace and restoration, but unfortunately, not everyone is willing to hear the other party’s view because it depends on whether they wish to remain in strife or have peace.
Romans 12:17-18 (NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
However, as Christians pursuing love and living as peacefully with everyone as possible, we should not allow strife, division, hatred, and unforgiveness to drive a wedge between family members, friends, church members, and colleagues. Therefore, if we have been sinned against, bringing one or two friends will help ensure what we hear from the other party is correct because we may be selective in our listening.
Sanctification is a lifelong process. We must carry the cross by denying our flesh—to quit being proud, needing to be correct, and wanting to get even, but start loving and forgiving. It means loving when it is difficult to love and doing what is right even when our flesh cries out to rebel.
Romans 12:10-11,21 (NKJV) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
When we are approached to resolve a conflict, we should respond by showing kindness in our speech and actions. There should be no condescension, aggression, or sense of entitlement to be rude. We will overcome evil with good when we carry ourselves in this manner.
Romans 13:8 (NKJV) Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Jesus has given us a new commandment. A commandment is not a choice but something He requires us to do so that the world will know we are His disciples. Therefore, choosing to listen to the other party, especially when they initiate a restoration, clarification, and even confrontation, shows maturity as a believer. God will be unjust if He commands us to love with His Agape love without enabling us to. Nonetheless, we still need to walk in love intentionally. Since it is a commandment given by the Lord, what we owe to anyone will be God’s unconditional love. Love fulfils the law.
Sermon Series：What Is Seventy Times Seven Times
与所有人和睦相处
马太福音 18:16 他若不听，你就另外带一两个人同去，要凭两三个人的口作见证，句句都可定准。
在马太福音 18:15-17 中，耶稣给了我们一个三步法来面对那些对我们不公或得罪我们的人。第16节描述了这个过程的第二步。和平与恢复需要双方的参与，但不幸的是，并不是每个人都愿意倾听对方的观点，因为这取决于他们希望继续争斗还是和平相处。
罗马书 12:17-18 不要以恶报恶。众人以为美的事，要留心去做。若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦。
然而，作为追求爱并尽可能与每个人和平共处的基督徒，我们不应该让纷争、分裂、仇恨和不宽恕在家庭成员、朋友、教会成员和同事之间造成隔阂。因此，如果我们被人得罪，带上一两个朋友将有助于确保我们从对方那里听到的是正确的，因为我们可能会在倾听时有所选择。
成圣是一个持续终生的旅程。我们必须背起十字架，克制我们的血气—舍弃傲慢、自己始终正确、以及想要报复的念头，转而拥抱爱与宽恕。这意味着在爱变得困难时仍要去爱，以及在血气渴望反叛时，仍能作出正确的抉择。
罗马书 12:10-11,21 爱弟兄，要彼此亲热；恭敬人，要彼此推让。 殷勤不可懒惰；要心里火热，常常服侍主；……你不可为恶所胜，反要以善胜恶。
当我们被请求解决冲突时，我们应当在言语和行动上展现出善意。不应有居高临下、咄咄逼人或自以为是的粗鲁。当我们以此方式行事时，我们就能以善胜恶。
罗马书 13:8 凡事都不可亏欠人，唯有彼此相爱，要常以为亏欠。因为爱人的，就完全了律法。
耶稣赋予我们一条新的诫命。诫命并非供我们选择的选项，而是祂要求我们必须践行的准则，以便让世界见证我们是祂的门徒。因此，选择倾听对方，特别是在他们主动提出恢复关系、澄清误会甚至进行对峙时，展现出我们作为信徒的成熟与智慧。如果上帝要求我们怀揣圣爱去爱他人，却不赋予我们这种能力，那祂将是不公正的。尽管如此，我们仍需有意地行走在爱的道路上。因为这是上帝的诫命，我们给予任何人的爱都应是上帝那无条件的爱。爱成全了律法。
讲章系列：七十个七次的意义
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