Caught

                 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Galatian 6:1)

 

What do you think Paul meant when he said: “caught in a sin”? I’ve tended to think of it in terms of snoopy people jumping out from behind the furniture…building…vehicle…tree… shouting “A-Ha! I’ve caught you!”

Or, like Nathan with David, “You’re the man!”

Or in a less amusing version, like the folks who caught the woman in the very act of adultery (but somehow managed to not catch the guy she was with.)

The thing about all three of these is that they’re always quick. You’re caught, you confess or are cut off from your community, and it’s over. I suppose that if you’re one of those snoopy sorts, others would be more likely to snoop on you, too, so you need to be extra special careful that you’re not tempted. It leads to what some folks call Karma.

But if our goal is to become more like Christ, and if Dallas Willard is correct, there are things that are part of our lives. We have habits that have been ingrained in us. We are caught in a net of sin like dolphins caught in fishing nets, or like a deer or dog that has fallen through thin ice. We’re caught in a sin.

Those who come alongside to help don’t get to reprimand and walk away. They have to work the net loose. They have to slide out on the thin ice themselves, putting themselves in danger of the same sin every time they have to go pull the caught one out again – and again – and again. Such rescue work doesn’t happen in one intervention session. It can take years of repeated rescues before victory is won, which means lots of chances for rescuers to get tangled or fall through the ice. In our humanity, we’re likely to say, “Well, I tried. You’re on your own” a long time before we should. Sometimes, we need to say “You’re on  your own” and let them fail, but we need to not sin by writing the person off (which is a form of hatred.) We need to be patient and ready to help again, which can be exhausting. Exhaustion can lead to sin. Rescuers need a support team just as much as the one being rescued.