“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. Carry each other’s burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are
something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” (Galatians 6:1-3)
Christian, when someone is found to have
sinned, you who are living Spirit-directed and close to God should, with God’s
given meekness and gentleness, strengthen and help that person walk close to
God and do His will. Carry each other’s burdens as they are tempted and endure trials,
just as Jesus helps you carry your burdens, so they are not too heavy and give
encouragement to each other. This is one way to love God and neighbor. It
fulfills the law of Christ, which Matthew recorded in Matthew 22:37-40.
In case you think you are important or
better than another, rid yourself of that idea. Don’t deceive yourself. None of
us is better than others. We each are tempted, sin, and carry heavy burdens.
That’s why Jesus told us to love each other, so we receive help, encouragement,
and love, and then grow closer to God and more like Jesus.
Notice the person who sees the sin of
another is aware, confronts the other person in love, encourages, and walks
with that person all in the power and will of God. Living in this way affects
the mind, heart, body, and spirit of a person. It grows both the helper and the
recipient in their faith and walk with God. One should never note a person’s
sin and broadcast it, but should invest in that person by heart, word, and
action through the Holy Spirit.
