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Galatians 6:1-2 

"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. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 

               The Webster’s dictionary defines restoration as “To bring back to or put back in to a former or original state (Renew).” In this case, restoration applies to a person, a thing, or a situation that has gone out of the way. The greatest task of restoration that creation has ever known started when man lost his place and plunged himself and the entire creation into chaos. God promised to ultimately bring man and creation back to their original state. “19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:19-21). 

               The child of God is both a product of God’s restorative work and an instrument in the restoration process. The believer is charged to restore a fellow in Christ that is caught up in a sin. It is a task for those considered spiritual, and it comes with a warning for the believers’ own safety.  

               The phrase “Caught up in a sin” in the original rendering means sudden or surprise fall into sin. A believer may fall into a sin that he/she could not see coming. It is not a premeditated sinful act. For example, a believer becomes involve in what is supposed to be a normal conversation with someone which turns to anger, fight, or the death of the other person. In this case murder is committed, and it is sin. However, it is not premeditated.  

               The enemy uses simple normal situation to pull surprise attack on believers to make them yield or fall into temptation. For this reason we are encouraged to be watchful at all times. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8). Regardless of how knowledgeable and spiritual a believer might be he/she is still vulnerable to a fall. Thus, the Bible says, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall”(1Corinthians 10:12). 

               Therefore, how should believers react when a fellow believer is caught up in a sin? It is often said that “Christians are the only people who shoot at their own wounded.” Well, the task for those who are considered spiritual or who live by the spirit is to restore the one that is caught up in a sin. In other words, gently restoring a fallen believer is a mark of true spirituality. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” The task of restoring a fellow believer largely involve praying, interceding, and reaching out to encourage and support the individual.  

               As an instrument of restoration the believer is also warned of his/her own vulnerabilities. “But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” This statement should make us humble enough not to talk down or condemn a fellow believer that is caught up in a sin. And it should neither make us to identify with the behavior we are trying to correct nor excuse it. The law of Christ requires us to bear each other’s burden. Therefore, as we desire to grow and mature in in the spirit we should also endeavor to yield ourselves to God as instrument of restoration.

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