"Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass--"What, if such a thing should happen, is to be done about it? "Restore such a one," says the apostle. If this is done--if it can be done rightly and truly--it is a gain beyond all computation. James says: "My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him: let him know that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." (Jas. 5:19, 20.) The world can appreciate and applaud a heroic deed of rescue in the saving of human life; how much greater and more glorious is the saving of a soul from death and the cancelling of all the charge of damning sins that stood against the sinner! It means much indeed to the rescued one; but heaven itself is filled with joy among the angels of God over the restoration of the sinner. So, if a brother has fallen into sin, spare no means to restore such a one: it is a work tremendously worth while.

      Yet it is not every one that can do such a work as that. "Ye that are spiritual restore such a one," says Paul. There are in the church those who are carnal--too many, alas--those who are "babes in Christ"--Christians who are still too largely influenced by the flesh, the old human nature. Of such Paul wrote, "I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it; nay, not even now are ye able; for ye are yet carnal. For whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal and do ye not walk after the manner of men?" (1 Cor. 3:1-3.) With all good will, such folk are not fitted for the task of restoring an erring brother. They lack the great love, the patience, the earnestness, the wisdom, the sympathetic understanding, and often also the necessary firmness--qualifications such as are found only in those who are spiritual, whose lives manifest "the fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22, 23). These can share the skill of the Great Physician, healing, helping, and restoring those who have been overcome by sin and Satan. If for nothing else, should not this fill us with the aspiration to be "spiritual" Christians?

      At the same time--let even them beware. "The best of men are men at best." How easily might even a spiritually-minded man in Christ forget that only by the grace of God he is what he is; lest he assume a superior attitude and "talk down" to the erring one, even threatening and scolding. The work of restoring must be done "in a spirit of gentleness," and always in realization that the erring brother has

and that we ourselves also are still liable to being tempted. It is only by such humility that we can really help one another.

      "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

      Now the law of Christ is not, as some seem to think, a code of [35] precepts. The law of Christ is the law of love--"that you should love one another even as I have loved you." (John 13:34.) And love bears burdens, and shares in the burdens of those who are loved. It vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. It does not glory in superior work and character, in comparison with those who are below us in spiritual stature. Nor, though we bear the burdens of others, does love demand or expect that others shall bear our burden. "For each man shall bear his own burden." (Gal. 6:2-5.)

      The apostle adds now a few more words of teaching and admonition. First, the obligation of recompensing those who have taught them in the things of God, who give their time and strength to this work.

      Then follows the solemn word about Sowing and Reaping--safeguard against the antinomian error--lest any should think that because he is saved by grace, and standing in grace he may sin with impunity. "Be not deceived." It is easy to be deceived in this matter--hence the frequent warning. (See 1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:6; Jas. 1:16.) Even the children, of God--nay, especially they, must reap what they sow. (Amos 3:2.) For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom He receiveth. Others may sin and get by with it for the present time; not so God's own. For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. Yet there is also this consoling word given them: "If we discerned ourselves we should not be judged. But when we are judged we are chastened, that we may not be condemned with the world." (1 Cor. 11:31, 32.) For our chastening is temporary and remedial; but the judgment of sinners is retributive and eternal.

      So let no one imagine that he can cheat his God. He is not mocked: "for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."

      But it is not only of evil sowing that the apostle speaks. There is a sowing to the Spirit; and it also is sure of its harvest. So, "let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Nor let any be dismayed because of evil sowings in his past, for he stands anew in Christ, and the harvest of life is mightier than the harvest of death. "So then as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith." [36]

[PLG 35-36]