“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1 KJV).
Do you know a Christian who has fallen into sin? The word says to restore your brother who has missed it. He is telling us two things that should happen from the mature believer.
The first thing God wants us to do is to get in our prayer closet and pray for that person. Bind the enemy’s influence in their life. “I pray Father that you show him the error of his ways. I pray that you live big within him and protect him while he is out there so that Satan doesn’t take him out.”
But that is not all God wants.
The other thing is that we need to let them know we’re pulling for them. Most times when you pray for God to send a laborer to someone, the laborer is you.
Go to that person and say, “Brother/Sister, I’m not letting you go. I’m not going to let you get away from me. I’m bringing you back to church one way or the other. You can stay out there as long as you want, but I’m going to be praying for you. Every time I see you I’m going to love on you, because I care about you. And I am sticking with you.”
In other words, don’t go to the brother like you are Super Spirit saying, “You know that you are living like a sinner. You need to come back and get it right.” No. The attitude you should have is, “This same thing could have happened to me. I could have slipped down that same slope. But I’m praying, praise God. And, I love you and I want to help get you restored.”
You may know people like that right now. What have you done about it? Do you know that God is going to hold you accountable for not helping them? He said, “You which are spiritual.” The question is, are you spiritual?
If you are, then He just gave you your marching orders. Take the time and restore him or her. I’m sure God has time for you. The Holy Ghost is still working with you. Now find that person and bring him back!
Scripture References: James 1:19-20; Prov. 11:30; Matt. 18:11-15
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).