Day 88: God honors accountability

Today’s Big Idea: Call somebody out

Key Verse: Matthew 18:20

Passage of the day: Matthew 18:15-20

Thoughts to consider: How many people does it take to make a viable ministry? A viable Church? A viable community? According to today’s verse, two or three will do. Or will it? The point of this often misused passage of scripture is not about the viability of church size - though it does apply. This verse is actually at the end of a passage about church discipline. It’s about the importance of agreeing together when we have to call out a fellow believer on their sin. “Two or three” is a reference to Matthew 18:15-16, but it is  also a reference to Deuteronomy 19:15, which says, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” The emphasis isn’t on the size of the church gathering or the preverbal “gotcha” for the sinner; it is about the unity among those who are calling for reconciliation. Since we are the church, the temple where the Spirit of God dwells, we need to hold each other accountable. Today’s passage assures us that when we hold each other accountable, God honors it.