Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

 

How often do you see people enter into a public failure in the church and no effort or process is made for restoration? It is a sad thing when the church functions more in a system as a corporation instead of being the family of God who forgives with the same measure of forgiveness that has been extended to us. We elevate a standard of holiness that is customized to our lifestyle, belittling sins in which we do not relate. Therefore, in order to justify ourselves in our own pitiful self-righteousness, we tear down others rather than build them up in the kingdom of God. Once we truly grasp the tangible love of Yahweh and see people through His eyes of grace and mercy, we will dig beyond the dirt of sin and failure and see the treasure that is hidden inside. The reason is because our mistakes are not our identity, but our identity is founded in Christ Jesus! 

 

When we see someone fall, it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters in Christ, but how do we accomplish this? Very few are willing to get their hands dirty with someone else’s problems, but the main thing is considering ourselves. Have we put ourselves in their shoes? What would it feel like to not only cave into temptation, but also for our reputation to be shattered? How horrible would it be to know this one bad decision could make such an incredible impact on my family and friends? Once we really consider these things, we automatically humble ourselves so we are not tempted with those same temptations. You can never restore someone from a place of pride, but only from a place of humility. 

 

What does pride do? The first thing it does is sit someone down immediately. I am guilty of thinking the exact same way in times past. Our delicate man-made kingdoms, which look like sandcastles, have this idea that sitting people down from a position of leadership will embarrass them into righteousness while it keeps our system liberated from the appearance of sin. Of course, I am not advertising to downgrade holiness into our interpretation of it, nor am I saying we just let everything go. Actually, when people are humbled to repentance and have searched their own heart, they do not have to be sit down because ultimately they will sit down to focus on what is most important:  God and family! I am just saying we need to do what Jesus would do. Think about it. He had Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot on His team of disciples. Not one time did He make the decision to sit them down. They were part of the 2×2 who were sent working miracles, even though at times their character did not support their gifts. Peter would later deny Jesus, and Judas was robbing from the treasury which held the finances of the ministry. You would think they were convinced Jesus was blinded to what was hidden in their hearts, and their gift shaped their identity, but this wasn’t the case. Jesus tells Peter, “I have been praying for you, that your faith would fail not” (Luke 22:32). He was already beginning the process of restoration before publicly denying Jesus Christ! Jesus recognized Satan’s tactics, and He was already praying for Him. Jesus’ goal was not to publicly humiliate Peter, but that he would be restored! No one is too far lost to be healed and restored in God! If we restore someone’s heart for God, we restore their heart for the ministry! 

 

Our responsibility in this restoration process is not to save anyone or convict their hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can convict, and only Jesus can redeem! Our responsibility is our obedience and commitment, to walk beside someone spiritually until they reach the place of consistency in their relationship with and devotion to God! It is about being a covering for them in prayer, showing them the love of God by calling and checking on them or even meeting them to just eat and fellowship, and doing devotions with them. The best answer is to help them to redevelop their prayer life and teach them how to study the Word of God. All of these keys are beneficial in restoring someone in Christ! When we are operate as spiritual fathers, mothers, sons or daughters instead of a system or religion, we will see breakthrough happen more than ever in people’s lives!