“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
– Galatians 6:1
Main Thought: We have all known Christian brothers or sisters who have gotten caught up in a repetitive sin, or have committed some sin that is obvious and evident to everyone around them. In our culture, it seems like very often a person’s transgression or wrong is magnified before others, bringing humiliation and shame. However, what Paul is telling us is that when this happens in the church among believers, forgiveness and restoration are what is called for. When I think about this verse, I think of Jesus’ approach to Peter following His resurrection. Peter had committed a great offense against Christ, flatly denying Christ three times in Jesus’ darkest hours on earth. After Jesus’ resurrection, in His third appearance to the apostles (John 21), He found the disciples on the Sea of Galilee fishing. They had not caught any fish, but Jesus told them where to cast their nets to bring in a large catch of fish. After eating breakfast on the shore, Jesus has a poignant conversation with Peter, asking him three times “Do you love me?” In the end, Jesus commits the “feeding of His sheep,” His disciples, to the apostle Peter (John 21:15-19). What does this reveal? Note there was no accusation or reminder by Jesus of Peter’s sin, but a loving commitment by Jesus, for Peter to care for those that Jesus had died for, particularly the early believers in Jerusalem. In those moments and in that exchange, forgiveness and restoration occurred. In the same way, we as believers should not continue to remind or magnify the sin that a repenting fellow believer has committed, but do what we can in compassion to restore that one to a right relationship with God and fellow believers. And in the latter part of this verse, we are reminded to keep a spiritual watch on ourselves lest we one day fall. Certainly, none of us is above sin, and should not look down arrogantly upon others who have fallen into a transgression. May each one of us be ready to restore a fallen brother or sister in Christ, and may we keep a guard upon ourselves to keep ourselves from falling into sin.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Matthew 16:6
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6
Philemon 1:7
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” – Philemon 1:7
Hebrews 12:5-7
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He flogs every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:5-7
Isaiah 28:15-16
“Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by. For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” – Isaiah 28:15-16
Psalm 84:11-12
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” – Psalm 84:11-12
Psalm 84:1
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” – Psalm 84:1
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1
John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” – John 4:13-14
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17