Restoring a Fallen Follower of Jesus

Ministry to a Fallen Brother or Sister

Galatians 6:1 International Standard Version

6 Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well.

Galatians 6:1 instructs those living by the Spirit to gently restore a person who has fallen into sin, while also warning them to be careful not to fall into temptation themselves. The term "restore" can mean to mend broken bones or fishing nets, emphasizing that the goal is to make the person whole and functional again in their faith.

Key Elements of Galatians 6:1

Restoration: The primary action is to restore a person who is "caught in any transgression" or "overtaken in a fault". 

Spirit of Gentleness: This restoration should be done with a spirit of gentleness, meekness, and humility, rather than harshness. The Holy Spirit will grace (empower) you. Trust Him and follow Him.

Spiritual People: The responsibility falls to those who are "spiritual," meaning those living in relationship with the Holy Spirit and exhibiting the fruit of life in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Self-Consideration: The verse includes a caution for the spiritual person to "Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well." Your own vulnerability to sin is a sign that you have not arrive yet. 

Interpretation and Context

Making Whole: The word for "restore" (Greek: katartizete) in a New Testament context means to make something whole and functional again. 

Humility, Not Pride: This verse is contrasted with pride and self-deception, as mentioned in the subsequent verses (Galatians 6:3-5). True spiritual maturity involves Holy Spirit guided self-examination rather than thinking oneself superior.

A Collective Responsibility: The passage encourages a mindset of mutual care and support within the Christian community, where members help each other become spiritually healthy again.

Equipped by the Spirit: Restoration does not require specialists and professionals. It speaks of those who are spiritual or believers who know how to walk in and follow the Holy Spirit. 

When I hear of a believer in Jesus falling in some trespass or moral failure, I watch to see if those around them are spiritual, gentle and kind or do they become judgmental, condemning and exposing the fallen one's sin on social media? Maybe a quick reading of all of Matthew 18, but especially verses 21-35 might help see Jesus' heart in the process of recovering a fallen brother or sister. And make sure you notice that verse 35 is meant for the one whose sins (debts) were cancelled by the Master, but he refused to cancel the small debt of a fellow servant. If you refuse to extend the same grace to those who sin against you, then you might become as the unrighteous servant.

Jesus paid for all our sins. The debt we could not pay was satisfied in His bloody sacrifice on Golgotha's hill 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. To refuse to forgive someone is to dishonor the blood of Jesus and deny His grace to you.

Jesus came to sozo us from our sins. The word sozo means to rescue or save, to heal, to deliver and to make whole. This is a progressive journey of sanctification. Sozo is never a 'one and done' event. Romans 12:2 tells us to "be being transformed" which is perhaps the best translation of a passive verb. You have no power to transform yourself. You need to submit to the Living Word and Holy Spirit together who bring about your transformation.

How do you do this? Purpose in your heart to get into a 2-way conversational relationship with the Living Word (Jesus) and His Holy Spirit. Jesus will take you to Father God who will fill you with His Spirit who will keep pointing you to Jesus who takes you to Father --and so you will enter this divine dance of eternal destiny wherein you will be being conformed to the likeness and image of God's dear Son. Daily you find the grace to deny yourself and what you want, take up your cross and follow Him.

Jesus’ Freedom Steps Ministries provides gentle, powerful and effective ministry led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Without Me, you can do nothing." It stands to reason that with Him, nothing is impossible.

If you know someone who has fallen and they desire restoration, tell them about this ministry. If their sin affected you in a painful or even traumatic way, please know this. Jesus will not stand with you as you cast stones at them. Just read about the prostitute caught in the act of adultery. Jesus does not do the Accuser's work. He came to destroy the Accuser's work. When you come to Him in humility and brokenness, He binds up your broken heart and removes the damage done by those who sinned against you. Read about it in Luke 4:18.

You may contact us at https://sozofreedomsteps.org. In November, we are changing our ministry name to Jesus’ Freedom Steps Ministries. We will continue to offer sozo ministry and a whole lot more.