Moment With The Master
“Mending the Net”
Categories: Moment With The Master"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. (Galatians 6:1)
This admonition reflects the very spirit of Jesus, the one who came to seek and save the lost. The gentle care of Jesus is seen throughout his ministry. Now Paul enjoins the “spiritual’ of the churches of Galatia to imitate this spirit.
The word “restore” (katartizein) literally means to mend the net. William Barclay (New Testament Words) observes that in classical Greek it meant to adjust, put in order, or to restore. It was used of setting a dislocated limb, or restoring a person to their rightful mind, or of fully equipping someone for a given purpose, or of mending torn clothes.
In this context the spiritual are instructed to mend the soul of one overtaken in sin. They are instructed to help the fallen brother “put the pieces back together”. They are to help them get back on the right course, and to equip them with the tools necessary to win the next battle. Here are some essentials that necessary to accomplish the task.
Be Truthful. It is our goal to bring the fallen back to a right state of mind. Jesus forthrightly instructed the woman taken (John 8:11) in adultery: “go and sin no more”. That one should sin and not be sorry for it would not be for their own good. Accountability, prayer, and strategies for avoiding another fall are tools that will definitely help. Hopefully, the fallen will develop a desire to be delivered.
Be Available. Assisting those overtaken in sin can be taxing, even after the sin is acknowledged. Old habits are not easily broken. Developing habits that are productive do not come easy. We are instructed to “bear one another’s burden”. (Galatians 6:2) As Christians we are to form a network through which we can assist each other against the temptations to sin.
Be Approachable. It would be easy for those who are spiritual to feel superior. Paul says: “considering yourself lest you also be tempted”. There is a delicate balance between acknowledging the sin and a reckless, harsh treatment of the sinner. We must remember our goal is not to ostracize, but to heal. Humility rather than humiliation will better insure our success.
By George Slover
