The Shepherd's Heart and God's Will

Jesus uses the parable of the lost sheep to emphasize God's love and pursuit of those who have strayed. He challenges his followers to go after one another in love and point out each other's faults when they sin. This confrontation should be done privately and with humility. If the person listens and repents, the relationship is restored. If not, more witnesses can be involved, and eventually, the matter may be brought to the church. If the person still refuses to listen, they are to be treated as one outside of the community. Jesus teaches that the authority to bind and loose on earth is given to the church, and when two or three gather in his name, he is present with them.