Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2 NIV)
In this article, we will discuss how we can be of spiritual help to a bro or sis who is struggling spiritually in their walk in Christ. I will highlight a few observations on the text above and share some lessons for our gleaning.
First of all, we want to note that this command is given to all Christians. It is not specifically to church leaders. So clearly, it is the duty of every Christian to help someone (another believer) we know who is caught in a sin.
Each of us can play a part to restore an erring brethren back to God. So long as we are living or walking in the Spirit, we can be used by God to reach and restore this person. I know it sounds scary to some people. But note that Paul did not command us to solve the person’s problem. We are not called to be problems solvers. Instead, Paul commands us to be burden bearers to restore an erring brethren.
Secondly, the words caught in a sin conveys the idea of someone who is trapped unawares, like what happens when we are caught in a net. The person is caught off-guard and thus falls into some besetting sins and unable to free himself. So we are not talking about someone who is deliberately walking and living in sin. The person is struggling, he knows he is trapped, wanting to get out. Eg. he knows it is wrong to indulge in pornography or SSA, but wanting to get out but could not do so successfully. Or he knows it is wrong to harbour grudges but finds it difficult to forgive because of the hurt he has experienced.
Thirdly, we are to restore the erring brethren gently or in meekness (says another version). The work of restoration is not for the rough and impatient.
But why gently or in meekness?
- Because we are aware that we too may fall into the same if we are not careful. Hence Paul also cautioned us to watch ourselves, lest we be tempted.
- Because we understand what it means to feel a sense of shame and guilt when we sinned against God who is all-knowing.
- Because we understand the restoration process can be a painful one. It is like someone who had an open wound. He will feel the pain when a nurse exposes his wounds for washing before applying any treatment.
Matthew Henry said, “Many needful reproofs lose their efficacy by being given in wrath; but when they are managed with calmness and tenderness and appear to proceed from sincere affection and concern for the welfare of those to whom they are given, they are likely to make a due impression. “
Well, that’s how we are to restore an erring brethren and bear their burdens. But as fallen creatures, sometimes we are guilty of becoming impatient because we want the person to move on quickly and not get stuck for too long. So we ended up rushing the process. Instead of listening patiently, we are quick to offer our solutions. We forgot that we are dealing with another human being. So in the end, we lost them despite our good intentions to help them. We no longer become their go-to person. Worst of all, they go to someone else in the world for advice or to confide in them.
We must remind ourselves that restoration is a slow process that requires lots of patience but more importantly, it requires much prayer. For praying is an essential step to restore the erring brethren.
Remember the Lord said to Peter, “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; ”
Dear bros and sis, do you know of anyone in the church who has been absent from the means of grace for a while? Or someone whom you sense has become withdrawn from the fellowship of the church? We may want to pray that Satan may not sift them as wheat but that God would keep their faith. And to give us the courage to move towards them with compassion and patience.
A Story was told of a man who shared with a small group that his past year had been the most difficult of his life. In response, no one said a word (perhaps they did not know what to say). So no one approached him and ask. So in the next 10 years, he kept to himself.
Ed Welch wrote, “Too often we are silent when we know of someone’s trouble. Silence is the same as turning away.”
So brethren, if we know of someone who is in a similar situation, let’s not wait or assume that someone will reach them, why not be the first responder (especially if you know him/her personally)? Perhaps God may use you to restore him/her back to God. Even if you do not know exactly what you can do, you can still show your concern by listening to them and praying with them. Pray as if you are the one feeling the weight of their struggle, and lead them to Christ who is our Sin-Bearer. For ultimately, only our Chief Shepherd can restore our soul. And in doing so, we help to bear their burdens before the Lord.
I will just end with a quote by CH Spurgeon…
“He who has erred was one of you, one who sat with you at the communion table, … He has been deceived, and by the subtlety of Satan he has been lured, but do not judge him harshly; above all, do not allow him to perish without mercy. If he ever was a saved man, he is still your brother, and it is your business to bring back the prodigal and make your Father’s heart glad…; follow up with him and do not rest until you lead him home again.”
May the Lord enables each one of us to be a burden bearer to our struggling brethren.
– Paul Phua (Shared on 26 Nov 2020 Prayer Meeting)