Better to Restore Than to Condemn
Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Tell those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, don't be afraid. — Isaiah 35:3-4
Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. — Galatians 6:1
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: Grace and mercy toward those who fall must be essential in our spiritual lives. Rather than condemning a brother or sister who commits an offense, we should remember our own imperfection and gently help them find restoration. To restore means to repair what has been damaged and help the person continue on the path toward holiness with renewed strength and hope. This process may require discipline, but it must never lack compassion, grace, or mercy. Those of us who have received mercy from God must also extend it to others, recognizing how much our own growth has cost us. When we honestly see our condition before God, we find it easier to restore than to condemn.
An attitude of grace and mercy toward the fallen must be an essential part of every believer’s spiritual equipment. When a brother falls, we must immediately reflect on our own experience and condition and strive to help restore him, leaving 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 trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, 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 mending nets or setting a broken bone. The idea in both cases is to repair something that is damaged and leave it in perfect condition, as though nothing had happened. What Paul is saying is that instead of condemning a 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 be restored and continue his journey toward holiness with greater strength and enthusiasm than before he fell. That restoration process may sometimes involve some form of discipline, but it must always instill hope and be permeated by a profound sense of grace and mercy toward the fallen.
Anyone who has received mercy from God must show mercy to others. We must always remember how difficult the path toward holiness has been for us so that we will be willing to extend compassion and assistance to the fallen. For anyone who recognizes his true condition before God, it will always be easier to restore than to condemn.