What Jesus Did! 'Even When Done to Us!' — Matthew 18:15

Monday, August 25, 2025

[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back."
— Matthew 18:15 NLT

Key Thought

It's one thing to reach out to the fallen brother or sister who has lost sight of the way. It's quite another to restore a brother or sister who has wronged us personally. But underneath the episodes of this chapter lies a stream of grace and redemptive love.

When we have been hurt by someone, often our first reaction is to get even by letting everyone else know what a jerk the person was to us. But not in Jesus' redemptive community. In Jesus' community, the goal is restoration: restoration of the personal relationship and restoration of the person back to the character Jesus wants for his community.

If the injury is a private matter, then we should begin by going personally, alone, to lovingly and redemptively confront the brother or sister with the goal of reconciliation. As followers of Jesus, there are no other options open to us until this first step is taken!

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving Father, forgive me when I've thought more about getting even than I have about regaining relationship with brothers and sisters and about strengthening their relationship with you. I know that when I am out of relationship with others, it blocks my relationship with you. Please give me the courage, wisdom, sensitivity, and timing to lovingly and redemptively confront those who sin against me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 18:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."
God has forgiven us, how can we withhold it?
Illustration of Matthew 18:15
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:15 --
Even When Done to Us!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."
Shattered
Article by Phil Ware
What do you do when things fracture between you and someone important to you? Phil Ware talks about what to do when relationships are shattered and how it feels easier to trade in those relationships for new ones, but asks if this is really smartest and if it honors Christ and our walk with God.
See All 7 Related Resources about Matthew 18:15

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:15 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 25, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Acts 8:30
"We should be abler teachers of others, and less liable to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, if we sought to have a more intelligent..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Living in Harmony' (Ro. 12:16-21)
"Dear Father, God of the lowly, Help me live in harmony with others - without haughtiness, without conceit, willing to associate with the lowly. Help...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Blood on the Doorpost Protected by Faith'
"It was by faith that Moses prepared the Passover and spread the blood on the doors so the one who brings death would not kill the firstborn sons of..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 13:9-10
"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!