Restoring a Fellow Believer
Many times we shy away from getting involved in the lives of those around us. This is even true of believers helping other believers. We rationalize that we are busy, and it is not our responsibility. However, it is our responsibility to restore a brother or sister in Christ, who has fallen into some sinful behavior or condition. (Galatians 6:1) Since the Bible makes this clear, we need to be faithful and do it in love.
Sin destroys people. When we see another Christian in sin, or we know that he or she has drifted from the Lord, we need to pray for God to use us to restore this precious soul. We must be intentional to go to them in a spirit of gentleness, not being judgmental or harsh. Also, we must keep from being tempted by the same sin ourselves. In other words, we go to influence them to do the right thing. We do not allow them to lead us to do the wrong thing. When we follow the Lord in this way, we can help the other person to be free from further suffering for their sin, and we are blessed by God for doing the right thing. This is how our relationships with others help us lead them to be better disciples. Without caring Christian friends any of us could drift from the Lord and be very miserable. However, if we will restore those who are in need, we can prevent the devastation of sin in their lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 2-5.
Sin destroys people. When we see another Christian in sin, or we know that he or she has drifted from the Lord, we need to pray for God to use us to restore this precious soul. We must be intentional to go to them in a spirit of gentleness, not being judgmental or harsh. Also, we must keep from being tempted by the same sin ourselves. In other words, we go to influence them to do the right thing. We do not allow them to lead us to do the wrong thing. When we follow the Lord in this way, we can help the other person to be free from further suffering for their sin, and we are blessed by God for doing the right thing. This is how our relationships with others help us lead them to be better disciples. Without caring Christian friends any of us could drift from the Lord and be very miserable. However, if we will restore those who are in need, we can prevent the devastation of sin in their lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 2-5.