Matthew 19:13-14 continue with the idea of God not wanting any of the "little ones" to perish (v. 14). Thus is the famous leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep statement. This could also be speaking of children; but His sheep are all those called and chosen and therefore ultimately can't be lost. That's how I see it anyway.
Verses 15 through 17 discuss about the procedure of a brother sinning. We are to talk to him then two or three witnesses then the whole "church". This seems to look forward to the time after Pentecost in regard to such discipline and is used today. We see how a worst case scenario is when he is considered as a heathen; much like Paul said to the sinning member of the Corinthian church in 1 Cor. 5:5; and verse 13. The idea of restoring a brother is indicated in verse 15 of Matthew 19; and is further illustrated in the famous "seventy times seven" statement of the number of times we should forgive a brother. I don't want to neglect the fact that the binding and loosing in verses 18-19 are in the context of this discussion.
(* Binding and loosing does NOT mean we can command Satan or any of his demons to be bound in the earth before the time because even Jesus didn't do that when the demons asked if that were the case ( Matt. 8:29). It would be heavenly powers being loosed or demons being bound from attaching themselves to someone or perhaps being able to do warfare in the second heaven.)
The rest of the chapter warns about not forgiving someone in our hearts (v. 35). The forgiveness of great debt of course signifies how we were saved with such a great cost even though for us it was a free gift. Therefore we aren't to harbor grudges. This shows why proper church discipline needs to be done but in fellowship of the saints where when two or more gather He is with them (v. 20). God of course answers individual prayer but it can so easily be tainted due to our own issues that we are focused on ourselves rather than God.
Verses 15 through 17 discuss about the procedure of a brother sinning. We are to talk to him then two or three witnesses then the whole "church". This seems to look forward to the time after Pentecost in regard to such discipline and is used today. We see how a worst case scenario is when he is considered as a heathen; much like Paul said to the sinning member of the Corinthian church in 1 Cor. 5:5; and verse 13. The idea of restoring a brother is indicated in verse 15 of Matthew 19; and is further illustrated in the famous "seventy times seven" statement of the number of times we should forgive a brother. I don't want to neglect the fact that the binding and loosing in verses 18-19 are in the context of this discussion.
(* Binding and loosing does NOT mean we can command Satan or any of his demons to be bound in the earth before the time because even Jesus didn't do that when the demons asked if that were the case ( Matt. 8:29). It would be heavenly powers being loosed or demons being bound from attaching themselves to someone or perhaps being able to do warfare in the second heaven.)
The rest of the chapter warns about not forgiving someone in our hearts (v. 35). The forgiveness of great debt of course signifies how we were saved with such a great cost even though for us it was a free gift. Therefore we aren't to harbor grudges. This shows why proper church discipline needs to be done but in fellowship of the saints where when two or more gather He is with them (v. 20). God of course answers individual prayer but it can so easily be tainted due to our own issues that we are focused on ourselves rather than God.
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