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Restore That Person

          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. (Galatians 6:1)

          Two days ago, the subject was “Do Not Judge.” The verse my Bible platform shared today specifically says that “if someone is caught in a sin…”  Tied up in all of this are some big words: toxicity, narcissism, gaslighting, codependence, and intervention. It may come down to the question of motives, and even there, it can get difficult. The obvious claim is “It’s for your own good!” or “I’m just trying to help!”  But those claims can hide manipulation.

          So, wisdom and prayer are needed.  Are we truly interested in helping the person caught sinning, or are we more interested in looking good, being right, or credit for “fixing” someone? Sometimes, we may not even know the real answer. God does. I suspect this is part of the reason we need the Church. In a carefully picked group of family or friends, people might be reluctant to challenge us. In a broader group, someone might have the courage to ask us whether we’re out of line, or to tell us we are. And, of course, God will reveal it if we go before Him as we reach out to someone with a correction.

          One word makes a big difference in today’s passage: restore. If our goal is to bring someone back into fellowship with God and/or with other people, it’s one thing. If our goal is to continue or increase the separation, it’s another. And here’s a huge challenge we can all try. As you doom scroll on social media, you’re going to see stuff about this group or that doing something you think horrible. Today’s challenge. Don’t share it. Don’t comment on it until after you’ve prayed about the situation and for those involved (including the poster). That might be easy for you, but it’s likely to be a challenge for me. Even if you think you’ll be helping someone. 

            Challenge #2. Ask yourself whether your purpose in speaking up is to restore the person/people to fellowship. If not, don't comment.

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