Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV)
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Even though life in the Spirit is a life of freedom and victory over sin, it is still possible for someone to fall into sin, to let their guard down, or to grow cocky and believe that they can stand in their own strength. As Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) reminds us, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
If that happens, it is not the time for judgment or rejection of the person. It is a time for those who are on solid ground to come alongside and to restore their fallen comrade with gentleness and compassion, realizing that there may come a time when they fall and need restoration as well.
As John wrote (1 John 2:1 NIV): My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. And in 1 John 1:9 (NIV): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
No one is immune to temptation and impervious to sin in their own strength. Even if we live in the Spirit, we must rely on His guidance and strength to give us the victory moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. If we do that consistently, we can truly live a life of victory. But if we grow too confident in our own strength, if we trust our own discernment, it is very easy to fall into sin.
If a brother or sister falls to sin, it is not time for comparing ourselves to them, or for distancing ourselves from them any more than those things would be appropriate if a companion fell into deep water and was drowning. All that is important in that moment is rescuing them, and all efforts must be aimed in that direction.
And, as Paul reemphasizes, pride has no place in the body of Christ. If we stand, we stand in God’s power and by His grace. We are no better on our own than others in the body of Christ. If we live in victory, it is because God enables that victory. If we have success in ministry and even power to do mighty miracles, it is only because God’s power is working in and through us. Therefore, each of us should help his brother or sister when they are in need, help carry their burdens when they are weary, and encourage them and strengthen them when they are discouraged. This will enable the whole body to be strong and successful as we move forward together.
Father, thank You for this encouragement and this challenge. It is easy to fall into judgment of others who fall into sin, instead of immediately coming alongside them to restore them. We understand this need when someone falls physically ill or is physically hurt, but it is harder to see on the spiritual level, although it is even more vital in that dimension. Lord, give us hearts like Jesus, hearts that instinctively go after the wandering sheep, not to berate them or to give them a piece of our minds, but simply to restore them to the fellowship of the flock. Amen.