7/6/24

‭Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

For all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God. If we say we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

All will be caught in trespasses because all are sinners, but the church who is living a spiritual life is to help this person back to living a spiritual life. This text says we are to do this in gentleness. The world interprets this as accepting them in their sin. While this is gentle it is not restoration. To restore means to bring back to where they were before. The Greek word in this text literally means to completely and thoroughly repair. It means to mend and perfectly join together. An example of this is a broken glass or pottery. When these break there are little slivers barely visible to the eye. Even these pieces must be found and glued back together to completely and thoroughly restore or mend. While this must be done gently it requires pressure to hold the pieces together as the glue dries. This can cause pain as the pressure is applied.

But the pressure is a must.

So do not ignore the sinful trespasses of a brother but seek to restore them with gentle pressure to God's desire being careful not to fall into the temptation of pride as the Lord works through you.

Do not respond out of anger but a desire to see them living for Christ. If it is you who are being restored know that God disciplines us for our good so that we may share in His Holiness.

Love Bro. Scott