July 2009 – 300 words a day

to the next level

It looks like Jesus is calling for reinforcements. Not for himself. For you. He is talking about what to do when you see someone sinning, someone doing something that God has indicated not to do. (That’s highlighted as a reminder that I don’t get to decide what counts as a sin.) After talking with a […]

by Jon Swanson

maybe it will work

“If he listens to you.” Jesus is talking about how to talk to someone about sin, someone in your spiritual family, someone who already has agreed to the house rules and is now bending or breaking them. As we have seen, Jesus says to talk to them. “If he listens to you.” We assume that […]

by Jon Swanson

But, did Jesus?

We’re looking at Jesus talking about how to address sin. We’re looking at a passage that is used as a guideline for what is called “church discipline.” We’re looking at the beginning of the process, where Jesus says, “If your brother sins, tell him.” As I thought about the process, I thought, “But, did Jesus […]

by Jon Swanson

beginning a community of trust

If your brother sins, tell him.* That sounds so judgmental. That sounds so critical. That sounds so invasive. After all, we say, who am I to tell anyone that they have messed up? My own life is so far from perfect. Exactly. Who better to sit down, quietly, away from everyone else, and say, “Here’s […]

by Jon Swanson

helping each other grow.

Your brother Dave is a good guy. He really is. So when you see him look twice at the waitress at lunch, you don’t think much about it. Your sister Helen is a wonderful cook. So when she stands in the kitchen after dinner talking with some friends about the neighbor’s peculiar habits, you don’t […]