· What is restoration? We are not just talking about returning someone to what they were at a previous time. The presence of scars and of consequences won’t allow for that. Rather, it is restoring someone to usefulness, for service to the Lord. The Greek term used in Gal. 6:1 is the same as in Matt. 4:21, where James and John were mending their nets. What a great picture of restoration!
·
When is restoration needed? The NKJV says, if a man is overtaken in
any trespass. A trespass is,
of course, a misstep, and thus a sin. To
be overtaken is to be caught by surprise. In some way or another, a person has not been on the alert as our Lord said we must be.
Perhaps they can justifiably say they didn’t know better. But more likely, it began with an impulsive
action that snowballed to the point where they are trapped and cannot get out on their own. Their attitude toward the
sin might involve blaming others or excusing their sinful behavior in some
other way.
·
Who can be a restorer? You who are spiritual. What does that mean?
o
Given the context of Galatians, some have suggested Paul might be using sarcasm here, in the sense, “you who claim to be so
spiritual, prove it.” The point here is
that legalists will judge people but won’t restore them. They tie up heavy loads and put them on
men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move
them (Matt. 23:4-5a).
o Most
would say Paul means what he says. But
who is spiritual? The word refers to
things or people that are caused by, born of, or filled with the Spirit. In Galatians, it is one who walks in the
Spirit and manifests the fruit of the Spirit.
It is the opposite of one who is “carnal” or walking in the flesh (1
Cor. 3:1). On the other hand, it is
applied to those who have the mind of the Lord (1 Cor. 2:15-16). It is not simply elders, pastors, deacons or
other church leaders but anyone controlled by the Holy Spirit. Like the people in Rome, restorers are able
to admonish one another (Rom. 15:14).
·
What attitude is critical in restoration? Paul calls for a spirit of gentleness. This is meekness in the fruit of the
Spirit (5:22-23), defined as yielding my rights and expectations to God. It is the opposite of using a chastening rod
(1 Cor. 4:21), being bold (2 Cor. 10:1), or slandering (Titus 3:2-3). We are not to approach restoration with both
guns blazing. Instead, in meekness
correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their
senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to
do his will. It is keeping in mind
that we were once foolish and disobedient, serving our lusts (Titus 3:2-3).
We will conclude this discussion in our next
post.
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