Restoring Fellow Believers

 I never had the privilege of serving in the military, but I have heard many stories of the comradery that develops between the soldiers in a particular unit. There is a very strong bond that develops as they train together and fight together. The result is that they would never allow a wounded member of their unit to be left behind. We should have that same bond with other believers in our church family, and we should make the same commitment to never abandon them.

Paul addresses this important truth as he concludes his letter to the Galatian believers. (Galatians 6:1) He addresses them as brothers and sisters, and he admonishes them that even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, those who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, while each one is looking out for themselves so that they are not tempted as well. I pray this is the standard of conduct in all of our churches.

Sometimes it is easy for us to slip into being judgmental. When we do, we are very prone to look down on fellow believers who fall into sin. We are tempted to leave them behind by just ignoring them or even speaking badly about them. If we do that, we are killing our wounded brothers and sisters instead of restoring them to full fellowship with the Lord and with us.

Instead, the spiritual believers in the church should take the time to gently approach this fallen believer and speak to them about their sin in an effort to get them to confess and to repent. In that way the Lord will forgive their wrongdoing and restore them to fellowship with Him and with their church family. This shows the love of Christ, and it keeps our church family healthy and growing. In the process we have to be careful not to fall into temptation, too, but the Lord will help us as we do it all in love.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 3-5.