"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" Matthew 18:15-17.

Caring enough to confront is risky business. No matter how close our relationship is with someone, addressing a sin issue with them can result in rejection and alienation. Besides, what right does one sinner have in confronting another sinner?

In addition to Jesus’ prescribed three-step procedure for dealing with someone’s sin, there are other passages admonishing us to do so. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:1-2. Ignoring the failure is not an option; we must care enough to confront, and restore.

If a series of medical tests reveal life-threatening cancer, would you want your doctor to withhold that vital information because of a fear of upsetting you? Of course not! Effective treatment is dependent upon knowing and acting on this crucial information.

Issues of sin and disobedience are at least as serious. Unchecked, these are potentially terminal spiritual issues; a spiritual form of cancer. We potentially contribute to a brother or sister's spiritual demise by ignoring such issues.

Galatians 4:15 says, “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” Lovingly speaking truth includes speaking of those sin issues that are seriously detrimental to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Similarly, we need others to speak to us about our sin issues of which we may be unaware or in denial of. Loving communication, even concerning the most difficult issues, characterizes authentic Christian relationships.

Be sure to also see Amazon ebook & print devotional and podcast: New Day Dawning.