Don't We Often Do The Opposite Of This?

And make it hurt more?

I mean, if we've got an issue with somebody we tell everybody we can about it first, then we meet up with a few friends and the offender or offendee, and then -- if we deem them worthy of our time -- talk it out with them ourselves! Come on, we're both guilty of this more often than we care to admit.

Going to church, being a follower of Jesus Christ (they've gotten bad press lately), is not a requirement for being a better human being and dealing with people ... well, the way we'd want to be dealt with.

Our Gospel text yesterday at church keeps coming back at me, and I wanted to take a few minutes to share it with you. Just open your New Testament to Matthew 18:11-20. Here, I'll even type it up for you -- and pray to do this right!

David

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.