Overtaken, Restoration, Gentleness
Our Sin Always Looks Worse in Someone Else
SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV - 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.
OBSERVATION:
Paul, in the opening verses of chapter six, gives us a guideline for restoring those overtaken in sin. These are not sins of doctrinal error but the sins we can find ourselves “overtaken in.” Luther says they are sins that “a person is overtaken through the weakness of his flesh.”
Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV - 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.
OBSERVATION:
Paul, in the opening verses of chapter six, gives us a guideline for restoring those overtaken in sin. These are not sins of doctrinal error but the sins we can find ourselves “overtaken in.” Luther says they are sins that “a person is overtaken through the weakness of his flesh.”
Overtaken “Contains the idea of falling. It is not the deliberate, planned aspect of sin that is stressed here, but rather the unwitting element. Mistake rather than misdeed is the force of the word, though without absolution of responsibility.” (Ridderbos, cited in Morris)
How often are we our own worst enemy? The flesh battles the Spirit, and the Spirit the flesh. Paul wants us to act differently from those who would use legalism to hinder their own restoration. The legalists want to impose extreme conditions on restoration. Jesus says, “Come and be forgiven,” and we must forgive as well. Not only that, but we should also come alongside them, for we ourselves have been in their shoes more often than we like to admit.
Restore means to ‘put in order’ and, by extension, to ‘restore to its former condition.’ It was used in secular Greek as a medical term for setting a fractured or dislocated bone.
Restore means to ‘put in order’ and, by extension, to ‘restore to its former condition.’ It was used in secular Greek as a medical term for setting a fractured or dislocated bone.
This job of restoration is often neglected in the church. We have a tendency to either pretend the sin never happened, or we tend to react too harshly towards the one who has sinned. The balance between these two extremes can only be negotiated by the spiritual. It should be normal to do what God says here, but it isn’t. It is all too easy to respond to someone’s sin with gossip, harsh judgment, or undiscerning approval. - David Guzik
Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. The influence of the legalists among the Galatians made this warning necessary; “Nothing reveals the wickedness of legalism better than the way the legalists treat those who have sinned.” - Warren Wiersbe
Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. The influence of the legalists among the Galatians made this warning necessary; “Nothing reveals the wickedness of legalism better than the way the legalists treat those who have sinned.” - Warren Wiersbe
APPLICATION:
Often, when we see our sin in others, we treat them harshly. Paul says, “Restore them gently.” Our sin always looks so bad in others!
When we see those overtaken, restore them with gentleness. For that is how the Lord deals with us. Remember, Paul wrote Galatians because they had begun to distort GRACE and had fallen from it, when they should have been walking in GRACE and embracing it.
The legalist in us all wants to prove we can do it! We can achieve righteousness and holiness and please God. The reality is, we are hopeless. Without the grace and mercy we receive from the Father, we would never have been restored.
Often, when we see our sin in others, we treat them harshly. Paul says, “Restore them gently.” Our sin always looks so bad in others!
When we see those overtaken, restore them with gentleness. For that is how the Lord deals with us. Remember, Paul wrote Galatians because they had begun to distort GRACE and had fallen from it, when they should have been walking in GRACE and embracing it.
The legalist in us all wants to prove we can do it! We can achieve righteousness and holiness and please God. The reality is, we are hopeless. Without the grace and mercy we receive from the Father, we would never have been restored.
“This comforting sentence at one time saved my life. Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." - Martin Luther.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help the legalist in me realize it is by grace, not by what I can do or be. Thank you for restoration! You are setting right the things in my life that I do not have the power to set right.
Jesus, help the legalist in me realize it is by grace, not by what I can do or be. Thank you for restoration! You are setting right the things in my life that I do not have the power to set right.
The same grace that restored you is the grace you owe to others — so when someone falls, come alongside them gently, remembering you've needed the same thing.
Posted in 09 - Galatians
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