Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:1-2 NIV
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. Gal. 6:1-2 – The Message
Heavenly Father, we need you always, but we especially need you when our calling to love well includes rebuking, recovering and restoring your children. We are so clumsy when it comes to engaging with these broken stories. We don’t do a very good job of revealing your commitment to discipline your children in love.
It seems like we either err on the side of minimizing sin—thus, failing to express the gravity of the situation; or we err on the side of maximizing sin—thus, failing to demonstrate your grace in the situation. Both of these extremes rob you of glory. Both of these errors sabotage the beauty and bounty of the gospel. Indeed, help us, Father, help us love well in sticky, messy stories of life in the Body of Christ.
This is no theoretical prayer, for many of us rise today to the hard and heart work of confronting those caught in sin and discerning the gospel route to restoration. Be with pastors and leaders, and brothers and sisters who have to make hard decisions. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon them. Protect churches from the vanity of speculation, the toxins of gossip and the evil of slander.
We pray for your children who are entangled, caught and overcome in some sin—whether it was episodic foolishness, or systemic, patterned rebellion. Grant them deep-hearted remorse, repentant faith, and humble submission in the coming days and months. Don’t let them get sucked into a life of penance, shame and despair. Rather lead them into a journey of brokenness, grace and hope.
Father, write great stories of redemption in the coming months. Put a holy fear in the hearts of your children who have yet to be “found out”—others just as guilty, culpable and entangled in sin. May one good story of gospel-driven church discipline, lead to multiple stories of repentance and restoration—in our churches and in the larger community.
Since Jesus has fulfilled your law for us, may the “law of Christ” now be fulfilled among us. May we hate sin more than ever and love the gospel more than ever. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ reclaiming and restoring name.