Behold the Patience of God!

Behold the Patience of God!

Here is an excerpt from "Running The Race Together Part 4–When A Wayward Runner Refuses Correction: An Exposition of Matthew 18:16": 

God loves us enough to give us repeated opportunities to hear and repent. In Deuteronomy 17:2-7 and in other Old Testament passages, if you were guilty, you were put to death. And it was just! But in Matthew 18:15-17, if you are guilty, you can repent and be restored to complete fellowship at any point. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8) – do you remember that phrase from Hebrews 3? The Lord proclaims through the compassionate confronter as he speaks to the sinning brother (in v. 15): “Today, if you hear [my] voice.” If he doesn’t listen, then the Lord proclaims through the compassionate rescue team as they speak to the sinning brother (in v. 16): “Today, if you will hear [my] voice.” If he still doesn’t listen, then the Lord proclaims through the compassionate congregation as they speak to the sinning brother (in v. 17): “Today, if will hear [my] voice.” And even if the congregation must excommunicate the unrepentant brother or sister, we will see next week that even the act of excommunication is designed to bring about their eventual repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5) – and through the church’s disciplinary action the Lord proclaims one more time: “Today, if you hear [my] voice.” Brothers and sisters, behold the patience, mercy, and kindness of our God! He is treating you far better than you deserve! He is not sending you stewards of justice to stone you to death, but stewards of grace to save your life. He is giving you time to repent! Therefore let His kindness lead you to repentance! (Romans 2:4)