Extended reading: Galatians 6:1-5
Devotional verse: Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.”
People make mistakes all the time. “I’m only human” is the explanation we hear so often after someone has failed relationally, morally, or otherwise. It seems like we do not take sin as seriously as we should. We tend to think that we won’t fall prey to another temptation since we suffered dire consequences last time. How is that working for you?
The most recent events surrounding some leaders in the Hillsong church movement and those that have surfaced about a famous apologist, well known in Evangelical circles, prove painfully otherwise. In these verses, Paul instructs his readers to gently pursue restoring a fellow Christian who fell into sin back into a right relationship with God and those they have sinned against.
Paul gives two reasons for such tenderness. The first is not as obvious but is implied in the word “gentleness.” When we fall into temptation and succumb to its pressure, we feel ashamed, foolish, and heartbroken that we gave way to the flesh once more. If we were caught in it, the embarrassment and consequences following the particular sin could be a heavy burden to bear. So, Paul is expressing the need for us to humbly admit our sins to one another so we can mutually encourage and hold each other accountable in our Christian walk.
If we would be more willing to share our struggles and help others who are struggling with sin, we would be able to move forward in our walk of faith more confident, encouraged that we are not in this fight alone.
Prayer: Father, As much as we hate sin, we confess that we often fall into it. We often compound the issue by not being honest with others about our struggles. Holy Spirit, work within us a greater sense of honesty and humility so that we can mutually encourage one another along the way. Amen.
7waysfromsunday 
Going to message this to someone from church that needs this
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Praying it is helpful.
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Thanks
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Amen! Larry, this is the reason why I felt like God had me start my blog. I was in Seminary and I felt like my colleagues weren’t taking seriously that what we were learning was for us as well. Authority, accountability, transparency starts at the top and works its way down. From parents admitting to their sins to their children (age appropriate of course) to employers being accountable to employees and vice versa. Far too often we are seen as frauds (from believers and the world). God already knows my sin, if God can forgive me why should I be afraid to confess xyz to man. If I fall from grace then I was on a platform I should not have been on in the first place. Larry, thank you for being authentic, real and genuine. It comes through in your prose and poetry.
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Well said! Thanks for the encouragement.
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