Gentle Restoration

03.15.13

Galatians 6.1 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (ESV)

What do we do with those who are caught in a transgression? Do we excommunicate them? Do we cold shoulder them? Or do we mourn and weep and do our best to help them? For a black and white person, this is just too many shades of gray for me – but the Holy Spirit taught Paul who taught the Galatians and by whom taught us: you take care of the faulty and fallen.

About a year ago a very gifted man of God came forward and confessed to his church family that he’d had an inappropriate relationship with a woman to whom he was not married. Stuff happens. Immediately the larger church authority swooped in, and in my humble opinion, expertly guided the grieving, and started the healing process. I have to admit, even in my cynicism, I was impressed – and blessed. God took care of the whole thing and the man wasn’t taken out and shot at dawn. Those who were spiritual stepped in. And the restoration process began. I hope one day to see this man back in active service to his God and his church.

It takes a viewpoint of salvation and redemption and grace to rescue, save, and heal the wounded; what do we do when someone has been in an accident and suffered a serious injury? We jump in immediately to help and heal them: that’s what we do! What do we do when a brother gets caught up in some kind of overt sin: porn, infidelity, drug or alcohol abuse? Do we view them as severely injured, or to be severely punished; or to be put out? Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Excuse me, did he really just say any transgression?

To be sure a sick one is a sick one, but a sick one needs healed, not hammered. I realize I am treading on weird ground here but where in the New Testament does it call to kick a brother out for his sin except for when he won’t repent.

It is one thing to be stupid, intentionally, willfully or otherwise; but if that stupid one is willing to own his stupidity and repent, he needs to be saved from further stupidity and gently restored, if what I’m reading is correct. And the restorers must be wary lest they be caught up in a temptation as well: if it was that easy for him, how easy could it be for me now that I know how he did it?

The Bible calls for us to be vigilant with each other and to do what is necessary to heal, restore, teach, correct, and rebuke. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong and need to be set right. If I resist correction that’s another story, but if I repent, then I need to be helped not to be stupid or wrong any more. Those who are spiritual see how to help, and then because they are spiritual are able to act.

Father, may You find Your servant faithful, mature, and spiritually minded so that when the need arises I may be equipped to help a fallen one and be a part of his gentle restoration. Amen.