In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul issues a command to the Galatian Christians “Walk by the Spirit (5:16).” He goes on to call them to “Live by the Spirit (5:25)” and to “Keep in step with the Spirit (5:25).” What does this look like? On the one hand, this life produces the fruit of the Spirit instead of gratifying the desires of the flesh. But what does this mean for our lives practically? In Galatians 6, Paul outlines how walking by the Spirit impacts our daily lives. First, if we walk by the Spirit, we will care for the body of Christ.
[1] 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. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. [5] For each will have to bear his own load.
Restoration
If we walk by the Spirit, we will care for our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Notice the language that Paul uses in this passage. He calls them brothers (v.1) and refers to the church as a “household of faith (v.10).” The church is a family. You need a family to care for you spiritually, and you are called to care for others spiritually. God forms a people into a community of believers. Throughout the Scriptures, we see that saving faith is not a private faith. We need the local church.
Like any family, there will be issues within the family of God. We are a community of believers, but we’re a community of believers that sin. If you don’t believe that, consider the words of the Apostle John, who says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1:8).” Every Christian sins. Our enemy loves to set traps, and sometimes we fall into those traps. We are prone to wander, as the old hymn goes.
To see a brother or sister wandering without obligation to free them from their trap demonstrates a lack of love for them, the church body, and the name of Christ
Not too long ago, I sat with my wife on the living room couch. As we were sitting and watching tv, we noticed a black dog run by our front window. Immediately we jumped up, thinking that our black lab had gotten out and was running loose. Thankfully, our dog was still at our house, and it was a neighbor’s dog running around. Undoubtedly, most would react the same way we did at that moment. We were scared that he had gotten out and we could lose him. Are you concerned with the wandering of your brothers and sisters?
Sadly, some within the body of Christ demonstrate no concern over the spiritual well-being of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Sadly, many opt for the attitude of “It’s not my business what they do with their lives!” Brother or sister, it is your business. As Christians who covenant together under the umbrella of the gospel, we have a responsibility for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together (1 Cor. 12:26). Tony Merida says, “We are brothers and sisters, adopted into God’s family, knit together by the Holy Spirit in a common fellowship. We must seek the spiritual welfare of one another.”
To see a brother or sister wandering without obligation to free them from their trap demonstrates a lack of love for them, the church body, and the name of Christ. Paul commands the church to restore these individuals. The word Paul uses for restoration is the same word Matthew used to describe the work of James and John in mending their nets (Matt. 4:21). The disciples mended their nets for service. In the same way, we are to restore our brothers and sisters to be used for service in the kingdom of God. This process is known in the Scriptures as church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-5).
But we need to qualify this command. This is not a license to be the “sin police” in the church. We are not to form committees and fashion them with whistles or megaphones to follow everyone around and blow the whistle anytime someone fails. There would be non-stop whistleblowing if this were the case (we’re all sinners, remember?). I believe what Paul has in mind here are those public sins that serve as grave destruction for our fellow brother/sister.
Examine your heart before you seek the ministry of restoration. Not only are we to examine ourselves, but we must also bear the fruit of the Spirit in our restoration (Gal. 5:22-23).
Again, we should care for one another. We should be quick to point them to Christ, speak the truth in love toward one another, hoping for restoration. As I begin to say this, people will inevitably say, “That’s not right. You shouldn’t do that. It’s none of your business.” They may even say, “Doesn’t the Bible say not to judge?” They may even quote Scripture. They may say, “Judge not, lest you, too, be judged (Matt. 7:1).” To which I respond with Paul Washer, “Twist not Scripture, lest you be like Satan.” Again, we are to restore, but Paul gives some qualifications for the one doing the restoration.
Be Spiritual
Paul says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness (v.1- emphasis added).” What does it mean to be spiritual? Essentially, it means you’re in no business to be on a rescue mission if you are not walking by the Spirit. Jesus does say, “Judge not, that you be not judged (Matt. 7:1).” However, he adds, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (v.5).”
Tony Merida states, “Jesus is opposed to arrogant self-righteousness. He is not opposed to the ministry of restoration performed by a person who is humbly repentant.” Examine your heart before you seek the ministry of restoration. Not only are we to examine ourselves, but we must also bear the fruit of the Spirit in our restoration (Gal. 5:22-23).
Be Gentle
Paul calls for restoration to be conducted in a spirit of gentleness. Speak the truth, yes. But we are called to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). What does it look like to speak the truth lovingly and gently to your brother or sister in Christ? Too often, I hear people say, “I just tell it like it is, pastor!” Some situations may require that approach, but often, that attitude is a mask for self-righteous, arrogant condemnation. You’ll be loving and kind to them if you care for them.
Jesus is opposed to arrogant self-righteousness. He is not opposed to the ministry of restoration performed by a person who is humbly repentant.
Tony Merida
Be Careful
3rd, Paul calls the restorer to be careful. He says, “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted (Gal. 6:1).” Be careful not to step into the trap when you enter a person’s world. As you seek to restore, ensure you don’t fall like they did. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you must live like them to gain the right to be heard. Guard your heart and mind as you restore.
A Command for All Believers
Lastly, this is a command for all who bear the name of Christian. This command is not solely the responsibility of the elders. If you see a brother/sister wandering, you must restore. You’re not to talk to others (that’s gossip) or tear them down to others (that’s slander). You are to confront them in love and gentleness. I cannot tell you how often people come into my office or talk to me about the sins of others. I believe they mean well, but if you see something, say something. Confront that person. You bring another along only after a confrontation and a refusal to repent (see Matthew 18).
We must restore a spirit of repentance and healthy confrontation within our churches if we desire holiness and faithfulness. Todd Wilson prays, “May God grant us grace, therefore, to walk by the Spirit, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and do the work of Spirit-restoration, for the glory and praise of God, the good of souls, and the building of the church, both now and forevermore!” May that also be our prayer because when one member suffers, we all suffer together.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Josh Chambers
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