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c) Prohibiting and Forbidding in Christ’s Name (Matthew 18:18-20)
MATTHEW 18:18-20
18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 16:19; 28:20, Mark 11:24, John 20:23)
Where love ripens, unity of faith is realized. This unity is the power of the church. There, individuals and groups pray in the Spirit of Christ, and this Spirit works in their prayers and enables them to be answered. It is neither statistics nor bank credits that prove the power of a church, but the presence of Christ in its’ praying and believing members. It is through their testimonies that many come to the forgiving Savior. Jesus gave the keys of heaven to every one of the apostles, not to Peter alone. Everyone whom the Holy Spirit dwells in his heart is a servant in the power of God, for the Lord works through him.
Do you have a continuous praying circle in your church? Christ personally acts through those that keep within His love. The Lord will answer their prayers if they pray following the instructions of the Holy Spirit.
In this promise of Christ to answer faithful prayers, we find a call to examine and agree together what God’s good will is. We should try to live according to His will in order that Jesus Christ can be present with us. If you do not know the Lord’s will towards your problem, then ask yourselves what would Christ himself do if he were present among you. Seek the inspiration of Christ’s Spirit that you can offer believing prayer and expect that it will be answered in the name of Jesus Christ.
Imagine where two or three Christians meet together, Christ is among them. This is an encouragement to every small meeting.
It may be a small meeting by choice. Besides the private worship performed by some persons, and the public services of the whole congregation, there will be occasion for two or three to come together alone, either for mutual assistance in conference or joint assistance in prayer, not in contempt of public worship, but in concurrence with it. There Christ will be present.
It may be a small meeting by constraint. There may be more than two or three to come together, but they dare not for fear of persecution, yet Christ will be “in the midst of them.” It is not the multitude, but the faith and sincere devotion of the worshippers that invites the presence of Christ. Though there be but two or three, the smallest number that can be, yet, their meeting is as honorable and comfortable as if they were two or three thousand.
Do not forget that Jesus will be in the midst of you, if you are reconciled and united for the sake of His service and the spreading of His gospel. His presence is the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the problems and dangers of this world. Then Christ works with you and protects you.
PRAYER: Thank You merciful Lord Jesus, because You promised to be among us as Savior and Comforter, if we are united together for the sake of Your service and for restraining and forbidding the sins for the sake of our testimony. Help us to forgive each other and forget the others’ sins. We also ask to reveal to us Your will from the gospel that we may pray in accord with Your intents, and fulfill Your will in, among, and through us.
QUESTION:
- When will Christ be among us?