March 26, 2022 -- James 5:19-20 & Galatians 6:1 -- How to restore a sinning brother or sister

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20 ESV

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 ESV

As those who were ourselves sinners but who have divine forgiveness and the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, we know the pull of sin. The warnings of Scripture, not to drift away (Hebrews 2:1), are etched on our hearts and minds. We realize how easily sin can once again entangle us. Therefore, these two passages are powerful for us. We know the power of temptation. Each of us have particular sins that are more likely to draw us like moths to a flame back to old sins. When a brother, or a sister, is rushing towards to sin, because we know the particular signs of that wickedness and more importantly we know the power of Christ Who has overcome the world and every sin, we speak, calling this person back to Jesus, the way of life.

Notice the call to gentleness in Galatians 6. Jesus describes Himself as meek and lowly of heart (Matthew 11:29). It is hard for a sinner to hear a proud, hard, accusing helper. Interestingly, Jesus, our Rock of Help, is meek, He reaches out towards sinners with the greatest tenderness so that we are not consumed, and with the might all of heaven, He cradles the wanderer in resurrection power so sin is thrown down. Remember the pattern of Mathew 18, it is the first step to approach the brother who is in the wrong, and to do so privately, in order not to shame the brother, instead to win him back to Jesus and to reconciliation with you.

Finally, because you intimately know the fall from grace which is bruising your brother, beware so that temptation won’t take you out as well—ushering you back to old haunts of evil. Pray to the Father to give you such clear spiritual discernment so that you will not toy with wrong-doing—either consciously or unconsciously—as you seek to restore this brother or sister.

Look to Jesus and His throne of grace, where you will find grace and mercy to help you in every circumstance and situation (Hebrews 4:16)—and pray. Urgently and persistently pray so that every error and lapse into wrong-doing will be exposed and their powers thrown down before the omnipotence of Jesus. Be prepared to walk with this brother through the humiliation or embarrassment as you together walk back into the open arms of the Father Who welcomes prodigals.

Glorious Father, fill us with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing all fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Ah, Triune God, strengthen us with all power according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, so that we may rightfully and constantly give You, Father, all the thanks and worship, for You have qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. You have delivered us from darkness, the domain of ruination and Your never-ending wrath and transferred us to the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Blessed are You, God of all mercy, Savior of the World and Spirit of all Comfort. Amen.

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