Restore One Another
Restore One Another.
“If someone in the fellowship is overtaken by some sin or mistake, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Galatians 6:1).
Restore: to set right; to repair; to refit; to mend; to rejoin; to bring back to original state; to heal.
a. God is in the business of restoration. In His mercy, He loves to rejoin whatever has been broken. God restores, and so do we. His Spirit in us yearns to restore relationships, to mend brokenness, to bring back a oneness. We are each called to restore each other after walking down the wrong path. With gentleness and forgiveness, we are asked to help a wayward brother or sister back onto the right path. Who is qualified to do this? Any believer with the requisite wisdom who is “spiritual,” which means literally any believer who is “in the Spirit,” or who overflows with the Holy Spirit. Another aspect of restoration is help a believer make peace with God, to provide what is needed to help someone restore a right relationship with the Lord, to repair a brokenness with God. Humility is crucial in this endeavor if the restoration is to be healthy and complete. As Eugene Peterson said in the Message for Galatians 6:1: “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day is out.”
b. Restoration Software.
“Acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly restored, for tremendous power is released through the passionate heartfelt prayer of a godly believer.” (James 5:16, TPT).
“Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.” (2 Corinthians 2:6-8, NLT).
“Finally, as members of God’s beloved family, we must go after the one who wanders from the truth and bring him back. For the one who restores the sinning believer back to God from the error of his way, gives back to his soul life from the dead, and covers over countless sins by their demonstration of love! ” (James 5:19-20, TPT).
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (Psalm 51:12, NLT).
“Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:3, NIV).
“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners of Israel.” (Isaiah 57:18, NIV).
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 30:17, NIV).
“You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me and I will return , because you are the Lord my God.” (Jeremiah 31:18, NIV).
“Restore us to yourself, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had.” (Lamentations 5:21, NLT).
“And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. And he has all the power needed to do this – forever! Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11, TPT).