People are quick to find fault in others. Sadly, this appears to be especially true among Christians. We are quick to point fingers at others. If they don’t line up with what we think they should we think they are wrong. If they are different from us we find fault and criticize. We are critical of them. We freely spread this criticism to others. Have you been guilty of this?
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about giving people a pass on sin. Sin is sin. Sin is wrong. It needs to be confessed and repented of. God made provision for that through the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary.
If you see someone stumble and fall due to sin, don’t kick that person while they are down. Paul in his writing to the church in Galatia addressed this issue.
Galatians 6:1-2 CSB
[1] Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won't be tempted. [2] Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
What a great statement on how a sinning believer is to be treated by other Christians. It is a sharp contrast to the Old Testament law which called down judgment on offenders of the law. Thank God for His mercy and grace today! Thank God for a better covenant.
To be overtaken in a sin describes a person who has committed an act of sin rather than one who is habitually sinful. Such a person is to be dealt with by spiritual Christians. Spiritual Christians will not act in a spirit of pride or superiority, but rather in a spirit of gentleness, remembering that they also might be tempted.
Paul specifically stated it is the spiritual Christians who are to restore the one who has fallen. A carnal Christian might, by a hard, cold attitude, do more harm than good. Generally speaking, the offender most likely will not receive the admonition of one who is himself out of touch with the Lord.
Burdens, as mentioned in verse 2, refers to failures, temptations, testings, and trials. Instead of standing off at a distance and criticizing, we should run to the side of a brother or sister in trouble or distress and help them in every possible way we can.
Most Christians tend to point fingers when in reality we should lend a hand of support to help them up, dust them off and even walk beside them on their journey until they are spiritually restored and on stable ground, spiritually speaking.
Let’s be kind, loving and compassionate when dealing with other believers who have stumbled on their journey. Let’s do what we can to see to it they get back on track. That is how we would want to be treated, after all.
Until next time...enjoy the journey!
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