Galatians 6:1 NIV
“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.“
General speaking, the image of Christian is positive and full of love. Church is a loving place, a good place. Church is an assembly of sinful men whose sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ. Do Christians commit sin? “Yes, they do.” We praise God for His abundant grace, He gives us way to repent, He helps us to return, He still accepts us.
When there are brothers or sisters who are caught in sin, as fellow Christians, we should restore them. “you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (1:6) With loving kindness to exhort them, the goal is to restore them. Help them to return to the right track, repent and be embraced by the grace of God again. Instead of casting them out and give up on them, we need to coach them and walk with them.
We should not be boastful, least we may fall. Those who may be caught in sin, but if we are not careful and be cautious, we open up the door for the evils who will lead us to commit sins. We ought to be alert and sober, to safe guard for one another. We should not be judgmental. Although we do not agree or tolerate their sinful acts, we still accept them as brothers and sisters. We pray that God will help them to repent. In fact, if we drove them away, how can we reach them, exhort them and advise them to move back and return?
May God give us a big heart to accept those brothers and sisters who are caught in sins. With practical action of loving care, patience and respect, we need to restore them gently.