Seven Steps for Restoring an Overtaken Christian

Seven Steps for Restoring an Overtaken Christian.  

Step One:           For Spirit Filled Believers Only! (1a)

Galatians 6:1 (KJV) ¹ 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. 

1.            Does the Believer Exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

 2.            Does the Believer live an Unselfish and Sacrificial Life?

Galatians 5:24 (KJV) ²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

3.            Does the Believer Walk in the Spirit?

Galatians 5:25 (KJV) ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

4.            Does the Believe Walk free from Envy, Pride, and Contention?

Galatians 5:26 (KJV) ²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

Step Two:          Approach the Person in a Spirit of Meekness (1b)

Galatians 6:1 (KJV) ¹ 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.

…spirit of meekness:        Gentleness, meekness, humility. Meekness means to be gentle,                                                         tender, humble, mild, considerate, but strongly so.

Humility with Strength!

It is not correction by…
Blame, lecturing, disapproval, surprise, spirit of rejection, hardness, criticism, indifference, harshness, “holier than thou”…
The wrong spirit in restoration destroys rather than restores.  It offends rather mends!
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (2 Tim. 2:25).

 Step Three:      Consider Yourself (1c)

Galatians 6:1 (KJV) ¹ 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.

…considering:   Take heed. Watch Out.

Luke 11:35 (KJV) ³⁵ Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

2 Peter 3:17 (KJV) ¹⁷  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

 Step Four:         Bear One Another’s Burdens (2)

Galatians 6:2 (KJV) ² Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

…burdens:          load, weight.  References a whole day’s labor. 

We are to help others with their load.

 Step Five:          Confess Your Own Nothingness (3)

Galatians 6:3 (KJV) ³ For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

All sinners saved by grace!!  Know your boundaries and limitations.

Step Six:             Examine Your Own Works (4)

Galatians 6:4 (KJV) ⁴ But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

…work:                 Behavior and conduct. 

…rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another:   Your satisfaction comes in your living.  You do     not need others approval. God Pleaser, not Man  Pleaser.

It is imperative in restoring others that we examine ourselves first.  What is our behavior and conduct?  Are we a  man pleaser, or a God pleaser?  What is our motive?

Example:             Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 7:1-5 (KJV) ¹ Judge not, that ye be not judged. ² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. ³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴ Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ⁵ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Step Seven:      Realize Your Own Responsibilities (5)

Galatians 6:5 (KJV) ⁵ For every man shall bear his own burden.

…burden:            Different from verse 2.  It is something we have to bear regardless of its weight.  It is our lot in life.  No one can live your life for you.  You have to do it.  It can be your job, your physical ailment, your financial condition, a tragedy you endured, an abuse you              suffered, the consequences of past decisions.

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) ²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We can help others with their burdens, but there is a burden we are called to bear.  The burden well carried will be rewarded.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.