Restoration — Part 1, Concerning Others So far, Paul has been teaching that by the liberty we have in the Holy Spirit the church is freed from the law of the Old Covenant. Still, we are responsible to what can he calls the “law of Christ.” (cf.v.2) What is the “law of Christ”? Love God with your all. Love your neighbor as yourself. Here, Paul instructs on how to fulfill this in our living. The theme of these verses is Restoration. We will navigate vv.1-10 in three parts: Concerning Others, vv.1-2. Considering Ourselves, vv.3-6. Controlling Opportunity, vv.7-10. Concerning Others, v.1-2. I. Restore each other from sin. (1) Brethren/Brothers - For biblical restoration to work, all involved parties must be filled-with and being led by the Holy Spirit. That is clearly communicated by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17: v.15 - Step 1, go directly to a fellow believer. Tell him his fault between the two of you alone. If he hears you (confesses, repents) you’ve gained a brother! This is where Galatians 6:1 begins, but if not — vv.16-17, unfortunately are the process. v.16 - Step 2, If he will not hear you, take 1-2 witnesses. Again, if he confesses and repents…Galatians 6:1. But if not… v.17a - Step 3, If he will not hear the group, involve the church. v.17b - Step 4, If he will not hear the church conclude, this is not a believer (not filled with the Holy Spirit). When we see someone sinning (5:19-21, and such like [the appearance of]). We should put the fruit of the Spirit on display instead. (5:22-23) James Boice said, “It is easy to talk about the fruit of the Spirit while doing very little about it. So Christians need to learn that it is in the concrete situations, rather than in emotional highs, that the reality of the Holy Spirit in their lives is demonstrated.” Overtaken in a fault – trapped from behind, unaware, to be or to become come upon or taken unawares. To learn something by surprise. Paul isn’t addressing one who was comfortable in their sinning, but just happened to get caught (found out) and now needs to address it. This is the instance of someone being informed that their manner of living is outside the liberties of scripture. It is surprising to them, they didn’t know, often didn’t mean to sin against God or other brothers. “To be overtaken in any trespass describes a man who has committed an act of sin rather than one who is habitually sinful.” (MacDonald) A fault. What is sin and what isn’t? We should define “fault” in the context of the entire letter to the Galatians and then the immediate context of these verses. The letter is addressing the problem of legalism. Thus, a “fault” would be when I am doctrinally wrong — prescribing a work on top of God’s grace to myself or others. Further, a fault would be when I enter the rut of either: Liberty/License — All things are lawful for me, so I live my life freely, and will not consider the conscience of others. Law — I put things upon myself not prescribed in scripture and expect others to do the same or accommodate me. These are the “faults” // sins within the context of the letter to the Galatians. Next, in chapter 5 Paul gives two instances of more detail: 5:19-21a. v.21b. - and such like. Things like these. “Paul lists gross sins that the legalists would condemn (sexual immorality, sensuality, sorcery, etc.) but follows them with the very sins (enmity, strife, jealousy, etc.) of which they were guilty of (v. 15).” (Sproul) Could we ever finish listing possible sins humans could commit? 1 Thessalonians 5:22 gives a good guideline, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Paul goes on to say those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Or, in our immediate use — should not be seen as believers. We should, instead, attempt to convert them since their pattern of living is that of an unbeliever. Ye which are spiritual — this phrase can be overthought and then the church is left with no one qualified to restore. Who in this section of verses is “spiritual” and who is not? Certainly those exhibiting the fruit of the spirit (5:22-23) should be addressing someone who is not (5:19-21). Specifically, someone not suffering from a similar temptation. “…considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” If you struggle with an addiction, you may be quickest to notice the fault in another. However, depending on where you are in your own healing, or personal spiritual maturity, you may or may not be the right person to manage their restoration. Schreiner notes, “The “spiritual” do not constitute an elite group of Christians, nor does Paul restrict himself to a portion of the congregation.” Restore. The verb (katartizō) is a medical term used in secular Greek for setting a fractured bone. In other Biblical references we get versions of this word used regarding: Rebuilding broken down walls. Mending fishing nets. What is wrong in the life of the fallen Christian is to be set straight. It is not to be neglected or exposed openly. In the spirit of meekness. Gently. This work requires a delicate touch. Which, if those “spiritual” are conducting… (5:23) Meekness will be evident. It must be conducted with personal humility (which we will get into more next time in vv.3-6). Paul implies this meekness will only come if you “watch yourself, or you also may be tempted”. “We won’t be able to winsomely confront someone if we think we are not capable of similar or equal sin. If we do feel we are above the person, our air of superiority will come through and we will destroy, not restore.” (Keller) Restoration: Concerning Others, Restore each other from sin… II. Bear one another’s burdens. (2) There are many other passages in the scriptures that teach us to care for and love one another in different ways. Here, the context leads us to understand Paul to mean, “Confronting someone caught in a sin is a way to “carry each other’s burdens”. “Brothers … who are spiritual” (1) will “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way … will fulfill the law of Christ” (2). Look back at 5:13-14. We “fulfill the law of Christ” by loving neighbor — because Christ was the perfect example of this. Can you make that connection? Not just that He was loving, but that he conquered sin’s curse for us. He didn’t look past our sin, he dealt with it for us! He bore our burden and so we should help others in the same way. v.2 answers so many objections to practicing restoration. Why would I get into someone else’s mess with them? Jesus. How should I go about this? Like Jesus. Etc. John Stott said, “If we walked by the Spirit we would love one another more, and if we loved one another more we would bear one another’s burdens, and if we bore one another’s burdens we would not shrink from seeking to restore a brother who has fallen into sin. Further, if we obeyed this apostolic instruction as we should, much unkind gossip would be avoided, more serious backsliding prevented, the good of the Church advanced, and the name of Christ glorified.” “When Christians are caught in sin, they do not need isolation or amputation; they need restoration. The proper thing to do is to help them confess their sins and find forgiveness in Christ, and then to welcome them back into the fellowship of the church.” (Ryken)