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Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit has been poured out over us. Like a priest who would be anointed by a fine oil, we as believers have been abundantly blessed by the Holy Spirit. This was predicted long ago through the words of Ezekiel.
I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 39:29 HCSB
With the Holy Spirit’s arrival, unity is present among His people. As Hank has written, this is a command to keep unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Like a spotlight directing our eyes to what’s important, the Holy Spirit always points to Jesus. Those who are not walking in the Spirit are not walking in obedience to Jesus Christ. In this way, we can hold ourselves and others up to the image of Jesus to determine if we are indeed “walking with the Spirit.”
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit, 6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 HCSB
A follower of Jesus is an imitator of Jesus. The Spirit both wills and empowers us to accomplish that growth. If we do not see that within ourselves, we may be quenching the Spirit. If we do not see it in others, it may be time for a Matthew 18 moment. Interestingly, this leads me to think over the verses that follow the accountability structure in that same chapter.
I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. 19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:18-20 HCSB
Through the power of the Spirit, we have the authority to bind and loose. The early Christians would have understood this to correlate with the authority given to the Pharisees. This “forbidding and permitting” was given to the teachers of the Law because there were many issues not outlined in black and white. For example, they could bind any day and make it a fasting day if they so desired. Jesus was very critical of the fact that the Pharisees were quick to “tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them” (Matthew 23:4). They took advantage of their authority by “binding” people all the time. It is important to consider that the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent.
The spiritual authority to bind and loose simply means we have authority to “bind” those who are arrogantly persisting in sin without consequences and “loose” humble and repentant followers from the burdens of their sin. The context of Matthew 18 sets this as the primary interpretation given the entire passage is about accountability within the body (not necessarily demonic strongholds as many assume). Heaven agrees because it is clearly stated that those who repent are forgiven and those who go on sinning have mocked Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus is full of both grace and truth and the Spirit testifies to these as we walk in step with Him. To those who have been given much, much is expected and required. Those who walk in the Spirit will fulfill this commandment.