Who is your Brethren?

Matthew 18: 15. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

We often hear the scripture quoted “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 If we were to keep that scripture in context with the preceding passage, we will see it is the ending scripture on, how to deal with sin in the church. It speaks of brethren coming together to restore a brother who has fallen. The first step was “go tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained a brother.” This is unity, one accord.

The second step was “(IF)he does not hear thee, take with thee one or two more….word may be established.” This is an action of choice and… agreement. The agreement there was a wrong done towards the Father and it needs to be corrected. This is unity, one accord.

The third step was “(IF) he neglect to hear (them) tell it to the church” Let the church come to together. Take the brother before the church. “(IF) he neglects to hear the church” further instructions were given. The church must be in unity, of one accord.

The Scripture continues.

“...Whatsoever you bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven...” When there is unity, one accord you can bind and loose both in heaven and on earth. That's POWERFUL! Unity is power.

The Scripture still continues. “(IF) two of you agree on earth as touching anything that they ask, IT SHALL BE DONE FOR THEM...” Can two walk together except they agree? Amos 3:3

Unity, one accord.

Finally, Jesus closes with, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name (one accord, unity) there am I in the midst of them” Carelessly, we quote the last verse of this passage without understanding.

Two things to consider.

(1) The word “IF” means there is a choice involved. God will never force us to make HIS choice for our lives. A choice of unity and oneness.

(2) If your prayers are not being answered or delayed, could it be you are not in unity, one accord. First with GOD, then the Brethren you are agreeing with?

To many of us pray with people we are not walking in agreement with. People who we hide ought in our hearts against. People we don't like, or gossip about. Yet, we pretend in prayer we are in one accord. The passage quotes, where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst.”

Jesus can’t be in the midst of strife and division.

The Holy Spirit can’t teach and guide amid chaos.

The Father is not Glorified!

Let us walk in unity and one accord.

Forgive, let us live in peace with all men.