RESTORATION OF THE ERRING

BELIEVERS ARE COMMANDED NOT TO SIN

1. Romans 6:1–2 “1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

2. Romans 6:15 “15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!”

3. 1 John 2:1 “1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

4. Titus 2:11–12 “11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,”

5. I John 3:1-10 gives some explicit instructions to believers concerning sin.

IF BELIEVERS SIN

1. Ezekiel was a watchman to the house of Israel, warning both the righteous and thewicked of theirsins. Ministers today fill the same role in our lives.Heeding the warning of God’s Word through preaching and teaching is our responsibility. When warned of sin in their lives, erring believers are to turn from their sin. (See Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:7-19.)

2. “If any man sin” (I John 2:1) is written to believers. First, the Bible warns us not to sin. But if we do, God has a provision for correcting the sin. His provision is not only for the world, but for the church also. (See I John 2:1-2.)

3. Later on, I John addresses brothers, or fellow servants of Jesus Christ. It approached sin from two standpoints (I John 5:16-17): a sin not unto death and a sin unto death.

1. James addressed the brethren, or members of the body of Christ (James 5:19- 20), concerning our individual responsibility to an erring brotheror sister. Err in this passage comes from the Greek word planao, meaning to roam from safety, truth, or virtue; go astray, wander, or be out of the way.

2. Paul spoke to the church on the same subject of restoration. (See Galatians 6:1-2.) Let us notice the two persons in these verses.

• Restore—in this instance means to repair, adjust, mend, or make perfect. Mark used it in the sense of mending nets (Mark 1:19). It is also used for setting bones or reconciling factions.

• Overtaken—in this verse means to take in advance, surprise, come upon, or take unawares.

• Fault—here means a missing of the mark, a fall, false step, blunder, failure to achieve.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE SIN PROBLEM

1. It is our responsibility to seek reconciliation with those who have something against us (Matthew 5:21-24).

2. God has a method for correcting trespasses and faults between brethren (Matthew 18:15-35).

3. We are to pray for our brethren when they sin (I John 5:16-17). Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:31-32). Job’s situation improved when he prayed for his friends(Job 42:10). Samuel prayed for Saul, even when God had rejected Saul (I Samuel 15:35). Samuel never ceased to pray for Israel, although they turned against him (I Samuel 12:23). Oh, the power of prayer in healing hurts, dissolving differences, and removing offenses! We should preface every effort to restore the erring with prayer.

4. Jesus instructed us on how to treat our brother or sister when he or she trespasses against us and then repents. (See Luke 17:3-4.)

5. “13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:13)

6. “25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25–26)

SAFEGUARDS FOR BELIEVERS

• The Ministry—Your pastor and other ministers are your best friends when it comes to godly counsel and direction in times of failure. (See Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:7-19; Ephesians 4:8-14; II Timothy 2:24-26.)

• The Holy Spirit—God’s Spirit in us is a powerful deterrent to error and sin; let the Spirit guide you. (See John 14:26; 15:26; I Corinthians 2:13; Titus 2:11-12.)

• The Word of God—Illumination for every situation is found in the Bible. Corrective measures for every conceivable problem are found within its holy pages; use it and practice its precepts. (See Ephesians 5:25-27;II Timothy 3:14-17; John 15:3.)

• The Brethren—As our brother’s keeper, we need to bear the burdens of the erring and hurting among us. Providing a spiritual safety net for those whom Satan entices to fall is a needed ministry among believers. (See Galatians 6:1- 2; James 5:19-20; I John 5:16-17.)

SUMMARY

Micah 7:8 “8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.”

Psalm 37:23–24 “23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.”