2 Cor seems clear that restoration, forgiveness, comfort and love is the appropriate response to repentance. It should be offered as quickly as possible, in order not to give Satan a foothold. It isn't the appropriate response to non-repentance. In that situation what gives Satan a foothold is declining to discipline and allowing an unrepentant person to continue in their sinful behaviour towards a church.
Read moreWhen Believers Disagree; Acts 15, Pt. 2
Acts 15 is a fantastic model of how to consider painful matters of disagreement.
Read moreSpeaking the Truth in Love
If someone thinks we have sinned against them, it is quite likely that we have, however inadvertantly. If they are brave and kind enough to come to us, we have to be brave enough to receive the overture with graciousness. Self-defensiveness is the best way to widen the breach. Speaking the truth in love is the way that the body builds itself up in love. We ought to be desperate to outdo the whole world in our ability both to forgive and to repent and receive forgiveness.
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