Restorer

Galatians 6:1 ESV
“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.”

Restoration is what the church as a whole should be about. As individuals, we should be restorers to those who have wondered away, stumbled and fell or just become discouraged.  Most of the people that I know that have left a fellowship or church have left because they have felt no support system, like they didn’t really matter, or were forgotten.

It should be all of our quests to encourage, lift up, strengthen, show mercy and restore those who slip and fall or feel discouraged. Paul says those who are spiritually strong should be the ones who offer a hand to those who have stumbled. Ignoring sin is not what we are to do, highlighting the sin is wrong as well, but to offer encouragement and a hand up is who we are to be.

Paul’s last statement in this passage intrigues me. “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” How can I be tempted when I’m helping someone else out of a sinful situation? Asking too many questions about how the person fell into sin. Asking questions that peaks the interest about the sin.

On the other end of the spectrum, we become judgmental about the person as we are restoring them. Not a verbal condemnation, but a condemnation in our minds and hearts.

Prayer:
Lord, make me strong for myself and for others, so when I lend a hand to those in need that I too will not fall. Restoration is what You did for me, teach me to be a restorer of those who are weak or who have fallen or just need a shoulder.