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The Amish Voice 2
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What is to be done when a Christian brother has succumbed to
temptation, stumbled or fallen? What is to be the spirit and
attitude of the church? How are we to approach the problem?
Are we to…
Note a fact: no sin is specified. The sin may be large or small,
black or gray, despicable or acceptable (to man), serious or
innocent, harmful or harmless. The point to note is this: a true
Christian brother can be overtaken by sin. The word
“overtaken” is interesting: it means to be taken beforehand, by
surprise, or unexpectedly. A true Christian is
surprised
when
he is overtaken by sin; he
never suspected
it. In fact, being
overtaken by serious sin was seldom, if ever, a concern; for he
belonged to Christ and lived in Christ.
However, when a brother is caught in sin and slips and falls,
what should be done? Scripture is clear: Christian brothers are
to restore him. The word “restore” is a word that is used for
setting a broken arm or leg, for mending nets, or for cutting
some growth out of a body. Believers are to help the brother:
However, there is a right way and a wrong way to help the
fallen brother. This is the point that is being stressed and that is
desperately needed by believers and the church. All believers
are mere men of like passions with all other men, and there are
always some being overtaken by sin. This, of course, means
that we need to constantly stay alert and available to fallen
brothers.
But again, how we approach a fallen brother is of utmost
importance. It is a very delicate matter. The brother will be
very sensitive and perhaps embarrassed and easily shamed. He
could become so ashamed that he would be too embarrassed to
return to the fellowship of believers. He could also feel that he
would be unwelcomed, for what he has done is just not
acceptable among believers. He has failed and failed publicly,
and he has damaged the name of Christ and hurt the image of
the church. He knows the attitude of the church and its
believers about the matter.
Therefore, unless he is approached in the right spirit, he could
be lost to the cause of Christ upon this earth. This, of course,
means that the ministry of restoration is of paramount
importance, for the life of a dear brother is at stake. What the
church needs to realize is this: the ministry of restoration is the
ministry of God. It is the ministry to which God has called us.
We are to walk restoring men to the Kingdom of God and the
fellowship of His church.
OUTLINE:
1. First, let the spiritual believers handle the matter (v.1).
2. Second, approach the brother in a spirit of gentleness (v.1).
3. Third, watch yourself (v.1).
4. Fourth, bear one another’s burden (v.2).
5. Fifth, confess your own nothingness (v.3).
6. Sixth, examine your own behavior and work (v.4).
7. Seventh, realize your own responsibility (v.5).
1. FIRST, LET THE SPIRITUAL BELIEVERS
HANDLE THE MATTER (v.1).
Spiritual believers are those who walk in the Spirit. How can
the church tell if a believer is spiritual, if he is truly walking in
the Spirit? The former passage spells out how.
1. Does the believer bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Ga.5:22-23).
2. Does the believer live a crucified life with Christ, that is,
a sacrificial, self- denying life? Has the believer crucified
his flesh with the passions and lusts? (Ga.5:24).
3. Does the believer walk in the Spirit—live a life that is
consistent with his position in Christ? (Ga.5:25).
4. Does the believer walk free from super-spirituality and envy,
pride and jealousy, arrogance and selfishness? (Ga.5:26).
set him right
restore him
help cut the sin out
mend him
lead him back
love
longsuffering
faith
joy
gentleness
meekness
peace
goodness
self-control
ignore him?
criticize him?
withdraw from him?
shame him?
censor him?
dismiss him?
isolate him?
spread rumors about
him?
slander him