The persons who are most critical of others stumbling, often ends up stumbling themselves. Paul warns of this attitude. Paul focuses on the humility of the restorer rather than the person who has fallen into sin. There is no place for self-righteousness.

1 – Restoring a brother (vs. 1)

• The stumbling brother – Paul gives an example of a hypothetical believer who accidently falls into sin. They have taken a false step into a pit. We are sinners saved by grace but sinners still none the less, See 1 John 1:8-10 and James 3:2. If believers do not sin then most of the New Testament is not relevant. The idea of sinless perfection in the believer today is a myth and a lie. The person has either been caught in the act of immorality or been drawn into a trap of sin.
• The spiritual believer – The stumbling believer is supposed to be helped by the spiritual believer.

  Notice how it is to be done.

  1. The act of restoration – It is a believer who is walking in the Holy Spirit. It does not require it to be someone who is a spiritual giant or a professional counsellor. We are not to stand by and do nothing because we do not want to get involved. We are not to despise, report them to the leaders in the church or gossip. It is the responsibility of the spiritual believer to risk the surf and pull out the drowning believer before they go down for the third time! See Romans 15:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
  2. The aim of restoration – The word “restore” means “the setting of a bone” or “mending a broken net”. The aim is to restore something back to the way it was before. The legalist seeks to exploit and bring it to everyone’s attention. It is to be done in gentleness and not in judgment. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and only the spiritual will have the necessary gentleness and love of Christ.
  3. The attitude of restoration – You are to take the initiative rather than wait for the other person. You are to consider yourself when you do so. You are also vulnerable. See Galatians 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Everyone can be tempted by certain situations but not everyone automatically sins. There is always an escape. Watch out that you think it can’t happen to you! If you can, then perhaps you will. The Apostle Paul was a person who put his foot in his mouth. Remember, it is but by the grace of God go I. It is sinful flesh that makes it possible.

2 – Relieving a burden (vs. 2-5)

• The command – We are to bear one another’s burdens. God does some of His best work through people. Those who restore a fallen brother are doing God’s work.
• The consequence – It fulfils the law of Christ. See John 13:34. We are to love one another. See John 15:12. We love as God has loved us. See Galatians 5:14. If you love your neighbour as yourself then you keep the last six commandments.
• The concern (vs. 3) – We think we are above the activity of carrying burdens. We sometimes think we are something when we are nothing.
• The conclusion (vs. 4-5) – We need to look at what we have done and not compare with others. See Romans 14:12. We bear a heavy burden in verse 2 and in verse 5 we carry our pack to help others. If you have a heavy burden then how can you help others?

Categories: Galatians