Today's readings are 1 Samuel 1.21-2.17 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Sam.+1.21-2.17 ) and Galatians 6.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gal.+6.1-18 ).
The first two sentences in Galatians 6 should be at the forefront of any discussion of order in the church, discipline, discipleship, or biblical counseling. Here's how they read (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Let's unpack these two quite simple sentences a little.
1) Brothers are those who are believers, those who are members of Christ's body by faith. The care for God's people is administered by God's people. We can trust that the Lord will raise up mature believers who can help other believers through in every need with biblical perspective.
2) Anyone can become involved in sin. Nobody escapes all temptation on this planet. Nobody is above it. And we minister God's hope and help to anyone who needs it, not just to those who appear repentant already, not just to those who are following all our little (and big) rules of conduct. This aplies to anyone.
3) The picture of being caught in a transgression is the same picture of being caught in a hunting net. We don't go there on purpose. We may or may not know it is there. In most cases, when an animal is caught in a net the animal didn't know the net was there. The animal did not go to its location expecting to be caught. It is taken by surprise. It would have avoided the situation if it could. We are caught in sin. Very few of us get up in the morning with plans to sin. But we manage to do it anyway. And if we are caught in it we won't be able to escape by ourselves. That's part of being caught.
4) What kind of transgressions do we help with? Any kind. Even with sinful patterns which are hard to break? Yes. How about sinful patterns that are really unacceptable socially? The Bible says clearly, "any transgression."
5) Who does the restorative work? Those who are spiritual do it. Does this mean people without sin? No, if it meant that, nobody could help. But believers who are not badly endangered by the sin someone is trapped in should come to help. What does this say about support groups for people who struggle with sin? While those are fine and good, you should not expect that one person with a drinking problem will be likely to help another person with a drinking problem in any serious and lasting manner. When we are caught in sin we need people who are not like us to drag us out.
6) What do we "spiritual" people do? Kick the person out? Administer penalties? Make him prove himself? None of the above. We restore him, and we do it gently. Is there anyone who can't become entrapped in sin? Nobody. Do we become entrapped in sin on purpose? Rarely. Especially the entrapment. We will enter into sin on purpose but not if we think we can't retreat again when we want to. We are all subject to our sinful nature, though we all have different strengths and weaknesses. What we need is caring restoration. We need to be shown the grace and mercy of Christ, who laid down his life so we could receive his live for ours. We need to be reminded that Jesus was subject to every temptation which comes to us. We need to be reminded that he lives a righteous life before God and that he dresses us in his righteousness. We are all restored to fellowship with God in one and the same way, not by our works but by the grace of God.
7) We who are spiritual need to watch out for ourselves as well. There are dangerous sin nets all over the place just waiting to entangle us. As we guard ourselves against temptation we are more able to help those God has put in our paths.
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
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