Galatians 6:1 NKJV
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
The Word tells us to be a participant in restoration of others. If we look at TV and read newspapers we see “vultures” descending on people who fall by the wayside or are discovered committing a trespass or sin. God does not want us to participate in that type of behavior. We are not to be people who judge, condemn, punish and eliminate our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to humbly pray for them, and where possible participate in their restoration if they repent for what they have done. There may be cases where the person at fault does not want repent. We must then pray that they will change their minds. Paul told the church at Galatia that those who were living a spiritual (not carnal) life must practice restoration of a fallen brother with gentleness and humility. He taught that we must all see ourselves as being subject to failure. That attitude will help us treat others as we would want to be treated. We should never expect to fail, but we know we are capable of failing if we do not walk with God consistently as we should. If we become arrogant and quick to damn someone else as if we could not possibly fall, we then detach ourselves from God and become more vulnerable to failure. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Let us do our best to live as godly examples and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and show love and support for the ones who have strayed off the path and ended up in sin. May God’s grace be upon us as we treat others the way God has treated us when we sinned.