WEDNESDAY March 24, 2021

Loving Restoration

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

We are now coming to the end of the book of Galatians. Referring back to Galatians 5, Paul spoke about walking in the Spirit and not walking according to the flesh. Remember, Paul, in writing his epistles, addressed the Church––believers in Christ. He warned them not to go back to live a sinful life––living according to their fleshly desires. Why? …those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

Today, we are living in a time when a variety of people attend church. There are those who are divorcing their wives, living together, some are guilty of child molestation, others continue in a lifestyle of drugs, drinking alcohol or attend wild parties. I understand those that are young in Christ can become tempted by some of these things. Yet, when some people come in for counsel, it becomes clear they have been a Christian for some time. This means, they have not learned to crucify their flesh––the fleshly desires. They are not living in newness of life, instead, they are trying to live without the Holy Spirit’s power.

If a person attends church, and they have not taken care of their hearts before God in repentance, how do they expect to receive from the Word of God? How can God really speak to them when they do not have a clean heart before Him? No one can change their lives by attending church or by just reading the Bible. The Holy Spirit must bring a person to a place of great conviction––an awaking will take place (Psalm 51:10-12).

Are you sick of your sin? Do you feel you are living the life of a hypocrite? Do you feel dirty and not clean? It is a good place to be in, because the Holy Spirit is speaking to you––convicting you. If you do not feel conviction about what you are doing, then, you should be worried about your soul. Are you truly saved? Christians who have fallen into sin need to be lovingly admonished. These believers need to be given the opportunity to repent and to be restored in a spirit of gentleness.

An unrepented sin is a continued sin.
~Corrie ten Boom~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!