sf,
Thanks for those, it'll help no end with my research.
Is this what you're looking for?:
NOT OVERLOOKING SERIOUS WRONGS
Willingness to overlook offenses and to give does not mean that we are notconcerned about wrongdoing or that we approve of it. Not all wrongs cansimply be charged to inherited imperfection; nor is it for our brother's good orfor the good of the congregation to overlook it if he commits wrongs that gobeyond minor offenses. (Lev. 19:17; Ps. 141:5) Under the Law covenantgiven through Moses there was recognition of a difference in degree ofseriousness of sins and transgressions. This is also true of Christians underthe new covenant. –Compare 1 John 5:16, 17.
When giving counsel, Jesus outlined some specific procedures for resolvingproblems of serious wrongdoing, such as fraud or slander, that arise betweenfellow Christians. Note the steps that he set out: "Moreover, if your brothercommits a sin, [1] go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listensto you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, [2] take alongwith you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witneses,every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, [3] speak to thecongregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, him be to you justas a man of the nations as a tax collector."- Matt. 18:15-17.
If someone in the congregation has commited such a serious sin against youpersonally, do be hasty to turn to the overseers, or someone else, requestingthem to intervene in your behalf. First of all, as Jesus counsels, speak with theone against whom you have a complaint. Try to resolve the matter between justthe two of you without involving anyone else at all. If the matter can bestraightened out in this way, the one who has sinned will certainly appreciatethe fact that you have not told others about his sin and have not marred hisgood reputation among others in the congregation. You will have "gained yourbrother.
"Where the sinner accepts reproof, seeks forgiveness and straightens thematter out, Jesus states there is no need to carry the matter further. This factshows that, although serious, the offenses here discussed were limited innature to such as could be settled between the individuals involved. This wouldnot include such offenses as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, blasphemy,apostasy, idolatry and similar gross sins that should be reported to the eldersand handled by them. When the Law covenant was in force, these sins requiredmore than forgiveness from an offended individual.-I Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21.
In view of this and in view of the illustration that Jesus subsequently gave,as recorded at Matthew 18:23-35, the sins considered in Matthew 18:15-17evidently were sins such as those involving financial or property matters-failureto make proper payment for something or some action involving a measure offraud. The sin might damage one's reputation by actual slander. In thesecases, if the offender recognized his wrong, expressed willingness to right it tothe extent possible and sought forgiveness, the matter could be settled by theoffended one's granting forgiveness. -Compare Matthew 5:25, 26.
If the one who sinned against you cannot be convinced by your reasoningwith him alone then do as Jesus said and take one or two others along andspeak with him again. The one or two you take with you should have the sameobjective, that of gaining your brother. Preferably they should be witnesses ofthe alleged wrongdoing, but if there are no eyewitnesses, you should choose totake along responsible brothers who become witnesses to the evidencepresented the discussion. Also, after listening to what you and the other personhave to say, they may help the two of you reason on the matter and seek asolution to the problem. Keep in mind, however, that if you alone were not ableto convince your brother that a wrong was committed, there is always thepossibility that he has not sinned against you and that the individuals you takealong with you may be required to convince you that you have no reason forcomplaint against your brother. (Prov. 18:17) Remember that the objective is toestablish peace between you and your brother, to 'gain your brother.
'But if you are convinced that your brother has sinned against you and it hasnot been resolved either when you spoke with him alone or when you went tohim with one or two others, and if a serious sin is involved so that it would bewrong just to let it pass, then you should report the matter to the overseers ofthe congregation. Having done this, you have taken it as far as you can. Leavethe problem in the hands of the responsible members of the congregation andtrust in Jehovah that it will be resolved. Never should you allow the wrongconduct of someone else to become a reason for stumbling or a force to to robyou of your joy in Jehovah's service.-Ps. 119:165.
If upon investigation it should become evident to the shepherds of the flockthat the brother has indeed committed a serious sin against you and yet hasbeen unwilling to repent and make appropriate amends, it may becomenecessary for the overseers to expel the unrepentant wrongdoer and in thatway protect the flock and safeguard the cleanness of the congregation. -Matt.18:17.