Galatians III
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1,2 ESV)
Relief from Burdens
The church is not generally known for our kindness to Christians who fall into sin. While our intentions might be securing the holiness of the body of Christ, we often slip into self-righteous condemnation. We often slip into judgmentalism. We often slip into what looks like revenge and punishment. We often drive away those who are caught in transgression, when the church is exactly what the transgressors need.
Instead, we get to bear those burdens, too.
Jesus did… and we can copy Him.
If we have sinned, we know the pain of guilt, and we know the path to hope. Show that path.
If we have known the pain of guilt, we know the shame that follows, and we know that Jesus died to take away that shame. Point to the cross.
If we have known the pain of public sin, we know how difficult restoration seems to be, and we know that Christ lived, and died, and lived to restore us fully. Talk about that.
If we have known the emptiness of no restoration, we know sorrow, and we know the One who dries tears. Try tears, too.
I am not talking about an easy gospel. I am talking about the necessity of Jesus, and our job to point our hands and fingers and hearts at Jesus when we see sin and sinners.
He bore our burden… and we get to be like Him.