Binding and Loosening

My purpose in researching this topic was as most people see it: as a way to divinely, and selfishly get my own way (Lord forgive me.), but after reading up on the ability to bind and loose, I’ve put it in Jesus’ intended context that he originally spoke on.

Jesus Christ himself has given us the power to bind (to make secure, refine, constrain, fast or tie together, take up and hold, protect, strengthen, hamper free movement of) and loose (antonym of bind; to free from restraint, etc.).  Although Jesus’ proclamation that the physical manifestation his church would be established by Peter does not apply to us, he has given us –as believers- the ability to bind and loose as well (Mt 16:19; 18:18).  Jesus said, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’.  When we speech, actions, thoughts line up with the Word of God, which is the Holy Bible, heaven co-signs it!   But this is not an authority to determine, but the authority to announce (guilt or innocence according to his Word) (NIV note Mt 16:19). 

For proper context, in Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus instructs us on how to properly address a brother or sister who has sinned.  It refers to disciplinary action that should be taken when they:  1) have failed to listen to the single person who’s brought the issue to them in secret 2) have failed to listen to the one, plus two others who have again –approached this person who has sinned- in a discrete manner 3) and lastly, have failed to listen to the three, plus the church now!  If they are so far gone, Jesus tells us to treat them as the despised, pagans and tax collectors (basis for excommunication; see also 1 Co 5:1-13) (Mt 18:15-17).  What Jesus is promising here is his presence and guidance when such sensitive, crucial decisions to are being made to discipline an immoral brother or sister (They are proven immoral as evidenced by their decision not to listen to the reason of those who are speaking and acting according to God’s word.) (Mt 18:19-20).      

Once again, that wasn’t even where I planned to go with that, but I’m just being obedient to the Holy Spirit.  There it is.

Because I Said So

I couldn’t stand the saying when I was a child, and the thought of it kind of irritates me even today, but as an adult I can see the benefit of not being provided with an answer every time I inquired.  It was, no doubt, a form of discipline, and I’ve seen many instances where adults obviously were not disciplined by this seemingly arbitrary response.  And I’m sure you have too.  They’re the ones that don’t last very long on the job, and make everyone miserable for the duration of their time there.  Well, likewise the Lord sees fit to discipline us, as an expression of his love for us.

There’s a word of encouragement that addresses us as children:  Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as children.  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his own children.  For what child is not disciplined by his parent(s)?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and are not truly his children.  Moreover, we have all had human parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our parent(s) disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Heb 12:5-11).

How thankful am I for discipline, in love, from my heavenly Father, and my earthly charges: my mother and grandmother.  How much trouble has their discipline kept me out of?  How much has their discipline given me the ability to set out goals and diligently accomplish them?  They did as they thought best, and no it didn’t seem pleasant at the time, but what a harvest their love has produced, and continues to produce.  Thank you Ma.  Thank you Grandmother.  And thank you Lord!