THURSDAY March 25, 2021
Best Consider Yourself
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 do not have perfect people in church. There is only one who is perfect, Christ. Therefore, God does not want anyone to be self-righteous in their judgment toward others. Everyone should have a true evaluation of themselves before God. A person must truly repent to be restored.
The word to restore in the Greek means, “to mend or to repair.” It is also a medical term, “setting a bone that has been fractured or broken.” That is what Christians need to be doing with those who have fallen into sin. We do not destroy people, we build them––restore them back into fellowship.
When a believer trips, falls and sins, if they are truly honest and repentant, desiring to change their lives, then we who are spiritual should restore them. We need to make them feel welcome. We are not to kick them when they are down, but pick them up. In love, it is as if we have given them a blanket, a warm cup of soup and a loving word of encouragement––all because of the love of Christ. Otherwise how can we call each other brothers and sisters in Christ?
I find, people in the church can become too judgmental. I remember, former Pastor Romaine would say, “If you point a finger at someone, then you have three fingers pointing back at you!” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned His followers of judging others. They needed to look at the plank in their own eye before attempting to remove the speck in a brother’s eye (Matthew 7:1-5). Before you begin to critically judge others consider your own life first.
Understand, God is a God of second chances. Think about it. Every day, we all fall short of God’s grace (Romans 3:23). If you fell into sin, would you want someone to restore you in a spirit of gentleness? Who is going to pick you up?
Never are men's hearts in such a hopeless condition as when they are not sensible of their own sins.
~J. C. Ryle~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!