Sanctioning Russia as you would ‘a Gentile and a tax-collector’. Matthew 18.

With the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the response to Russia has so far come in the form of economic, social, and cultural isolation. The use of sanctions as a response to conflict has roots in the teachings of Jesus. 

Jesus said:

‘If your brother sins (against you,) go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained your brother. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector.Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18)

Jesus was aware that conflict would be common not only amongst Christians, but all peoples of this world, hence why he gave more commands about conflict than any other matters. In Matthew 18, the sinner is given three opportunities to change their ways, if these opportunities are not taken then they are treated as a ‘Gentile and a tax-collector’; the sinner has the status of an outsider to God’s people, who is also a tax collector. “The tax collector is both an agent of the evil Roman Empire at the time of Jesus, and an instance of all agents of all evil empires, influenced by the evil one, the devil. The break with him must be complete. No half measures.”

One recent notable Christian leader who embraced the commands about conflict and applied them to nations was Desmond Tutu who called for sanctions and boycotts instead of military action when he fought against the apartheid government in South Africa. 

Moves against the ‘Gentile and tax collector’ Russia is the right way forward. Expulsion from the SWIFT international banking system, refusing Russian gas and oil, removing Russian teams from international sport, may be costly, but not as costly as a new world war. 

Now that we look back, the halfhearted and timid sanctions as a response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea was not enough. Jesus said that when the sin is clear and not accepted, the complete break should be made soon and be made with conviction. 

To read the full blog by Roger Harper, please visit: https://rogerharper.wordpress.com/2022/02/26/sanctions-inspired/