Righteous Restoration

Galatians 6:1-5

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness...”

BUSTED! Nobody enjoys being caught red-handed in his or her sinful nature. Society tells us that we are “good” people and that there is “good” within every person. Sure, every person is capable of doing “good” things here and there but all of us fall short of perfection (even society tells us that “no one’s perfect!”). Nonetheless, this “good person” idea often does more damage than anything else. In order to reaffirm the mindset that “I am a good person,” it deceives us into thinking that we must show our best on the outside, despite the filth that resides within. Instead of accepting that we are flesh, we put on a façade that makes us more like plastic. When someone is caught in sin, however, it is unfortunate that it is often the religious crowd within the walls of a church building that condemn and rouse, instead of care and restore. Such individuals are consumed with prideful zeal and completely miss the target of the apostle Paul’s teaching here.

Yet, this verse does not only suggest if someone is actually caught by another in the act of sinning; it can also refer to someone who is “stuck” in sin. If we can rightfully start with the biblical presupposition of Romans 3:23, then that puts everyone on the same leveled-plane so no one can boast. Another way of paraphrasing Galatians 6:1 could be, “If a sinner is tied up in his sin, you, who are a Spirit-led sinner, should gently restore him in a similar way that God restores YOU when YOU sin.” What does this look like? 1 John 1:9 reminds that if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgives of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. As one believer helping another, we are to patiently correct the other in love and encourage him or her to repent, in order that the assurance and joy of salvation might be experienced through the promises that God gives to us.

We are called to exude Christ-like maturity because of the Holy Spirit that fills us. In Revelation 3:19, Jesus says, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” The motive behind correction is love and restoration. The world would still call this “judging,” since it has become very intolerant of any person who tries to correct another person (even with having pure motives). Needless to say, such a worldly view completely blows Matthew 7:1 out of its proper context (context is king!). To “judge” means to pass a sentence; how can Person A judge Person B if BOTH ARE JUSTIFIED by what Christ did for them on the cross? I find it interesting that I’ve never heard the words “don’t judge me” come out of the mouth of any person who displayed genuine affection for Christ. Things that make you go “hmmmm…” ;)

Indeed, it is true that “no one is perfect,” which is why we follow the One who is, namely Jesus Christ. May we continue to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20), and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), in order that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ might be further sanctified by the Spirit (cf. 1 Pet. 1:2)! It is a beautiful picture of a perfect God using imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.