Better to restore than to condemn
Dr. Roberto Miranda
SUMMARY: Believers should have an attitude of grace and mercy towards those who have fallen. Instead of condemning them, we should help restore them with a spirit of meekness and remember our own imperfections. This may involve discipline, but it must always instill hope and be permeated by grace and mercy. We must give mercy to others as we have received mercy from God. It is easier to restore than to condemn when we recognize our true condition before God.
An attitude of grace and mercy towards the fallen should be an essential part of the spiritual baggage of every believer. When a brother falls, we must immediately reflect on our own experience and condition, and endeavor to help restore him and make him stronger and in better spiritual condition than before he fell.
That is the understanding behind the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 6: 1: 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any fault, you who are spiritual, restore him with a spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
In this verse, the word "restore" comes from the Greek verb katartizo, which among other things referred to the repair of nets or the restoration of a broken bone. The idea in both cases is to repair something that is damaged and leave it in perfect condition, as if nothing had happened. What Paul is saying is that instead of condemning the believer when he falls or makes a mistake, the first thing we must do is deliberately remember our own imperfect condition, and immediately try to help the fallen brother to restore himself and continue his journey towards holiness. with more force and enthusiasm than before he fell. That process of restoration may at times involve some kind of discipline, but it will always have to instill hope, and be permeated by a deep sense of grace and mercy toward the fallen.
He who has received mercy from God must give mercy to others. We must always remember how difficult the path to holiness has been for us, in order to be willing to extend compassion and assistance to the fallen. For the one who recognizes his true condition before God, it will always be easier to restore than to condemn.
That is the understanding behind the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 6: 1: 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any fault, you who are spiritual, restore him with a spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
In this verse, the word "restore" comes from the Greek verb katartizo, which among other things referred to the repair of nets or the restoration of a broken bone. The idea in both cases is to repair something that is damaged and leave it in perfect condition, as if nothing had happened. What Paul is saying is that instead of condemning the believer when he falls or makes a mistake, the first thing we must do is deliberately remember our own imperfect condition, and immediately try to help the fallen brother to restore himself and continue his journey towards holiness. with more force and enthusiasm than before he fell. That process of restoration may at times involve some kind of discipline, but it will always have to instill hope, and be permeated by a deep sense of grace and mercy toward the fallen.
He who has received mercy from God must give mercy to others. We must always remember how difficult the path to holiness has been for us, in order to be willing to extend compassion and assistance to the fallen. For the one who recognizes his true condition before God, it will always be easier to restore than to condemn.
