What do we do when others sin against us?  Different cultures have various ways of responding.  Some simply shrug their shoulders or say, 'It doesn't matter', others see it as a provocation of physical conflict; and there are many intermediate styles of response.  However, God's way is clearly outlined here by Jesus.  The first step is to identify the error as being wrong by rebuking the individual.  The second step is to await a penitent response.  The third step, if the person admits they are in the wrong, is to declare forgiveness.  The fourth step is to repeat the whole process the next time!

While there is a great benefit in forgiving those who have offended us (Matthew 18:35), they can never experience the release of being forgiven or be truly reconciled, if they refuse to admit that they were in the wrong and then repent.  God is very keen on repentance because it is the gateway to reconciliation.  There is no other route.

Jesus was not giving moral advice to unbelievers, but specific instruction to His disciples.  They were to watch themselves before leading others (Luke 17:1-2).  They were not only to be teachers of truth but also practitioners of truth.  Otherwise, they may be guilty of spreading the virus of sin rather than leading people to Christ for healing.  Paul likewise teaches Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Yet many cultural backgrounds find repentance a strange thing.  People grow up to never admit wrong or 'lose face'.  It is a great obstacle to the gospel.  Some other cultures are happy to say they are wrong but not mean it!  That may encourage half-hearted believers.  Neither approach is right or helpful.  That is why the gospel is such a new thought to many - not only does God love so much as to send His Son to die for our sins, but if we truly repent of our sins we are assured of full forgiveness, and peace with God.  That is the pattern for reconciliation in human relationships when we repent and confess our sins to each other; to pray for each other is then a wonderful doorway to healing (James 5:16).