Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:1-5
Overtaken in Any Trespass
Intro.
1. The church of Jesus Christ is a body in which all members are to have the same care for each other, 1 Cor. 12:25. We are not a charitable organization like the Red Cross or a civic club such as the Rotary or Kiwanis. We are a family of born-again brothers and sisters, knit together in a common fellowship of edification, service and love.[1]
2. We must know how to behave in the house of God when a brother or sister sins, 1 Tim. 3:15; Gal. 6:1-5.
I. IF A PERSON IS OVERTAKEN IN ANY TRESPASS.
A. It is Plain that Sin has Occurred, 6:1. (Wanders from truth, Jas. 5:19)
1. Trespass: “something fallen by the side,” i. e., as an auto that goes off the road into a ditch, in our idiom it denotes a “transgression,” something that runs across or against what is right. The idea is something that is plainly wrong.[2]
2. When we see sin in a Christian we must love them enough to go to them in love and try to rescue them, cf. Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15.
B. You Who are Spiritual have Work to do.
1. In Gal 6:1, then, “those who are spiritual” are identical with those Christians who walk in the Spirit, are led by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit.[3]
2. Those who are following the Spirit of God (His gospel), Gal. 5:16-18, 24-26; 1 Cor. 2:14-15; Rom. 8:5-8.
3. The responsibility falls on faithful Christians to use our contact with the sinning Christian to help them repent, Jas. 5:19.
4. This means we must use the Bible (the Spirit's sword) to help our bro/sis overcome their sin, Heb. 4:12; Psa. 119:105.
5. Without the word we are not positioned to help a fellow Christian at a time of spiritual crisis and trauma, 1 Thess. 5:14 (cf. CPR).
C. Restore the Sinner, 6:1.
1. to correct ⇔ repair v. — "to complete thoroughly, to repair" (Strong); "to correct, conceived of as restoring someone by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken" (Logos Word Sense).
2. Recognize the real damages of sin are against the soul, the reputation, the church, the loved ones, Jas. 5:20 (death).
D. In a Spirit of Gentleness (meek consideration), Gal. 5:23.
1. With gentle humility and mercy, try to reach and help bring the sinner to repentance (Jas. 5:19-20)
a. Not in gossip, reckless speculations, tale bearing and idle words or evil surmising.
b. Out of love and an interest in salvation, not destruction; in reconciliation, not revenge.
c. Goal: Restoration (not driving the sinner away).
2. Considering yourself (gentleness contains consideration).
a. You are not above temptation and sin, Gal. 6:3; 1 Cor. 10:12.
b. All should examine self and know that we can also fall, Gal. 6:4; 2 Cor. 13:5 (do not deceive yourself, Gal. 6:3).
3. Considering the fallen one, Jas. 5:19-20.
-Your purpose is their salvation, not to draw attention to yourself (your "expertise", knowledge, "insight" and "self-righteousness"), Lk. 18:11-12; Matt. 5:7; cf. Jno. 8:4-8, 11.
II. BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS, Gal. 6:2-4.
A. Burdens: The Problems that Attend Sin, 6:2.
1. The sinner must know there is sin that must be corrected: This is a great expression of love, 6:1; 2 Cor. 2:4-5.
2. Must confirm our love to the sinner who repents, 2 Cor. 2:6-8.
B. To Fulfill the Law of Christ, cf. 2 Cor. 2:9.
1. The law of love, Jno. 13:34-35.
2. Love does not condone or overlook sin; it looks for ways to rescue the perishing and improve oneself at the same time (1 Pet. 4:8).
C. Additional Purposes are Accomplished.
1. Avoid the deception that we are beyond such need of help, 6:3.
2. Produce self-examination rather than making comparisons, 6:4.
III. BEAR YOUR OWN BURDEN, Gal. 6:5.
A. Responsibility to try to Save Lost Christian, Heb. 3:7-8, 12-13.
Conclusion
The snare of sin can be broken by helping to restore those entangled in sin.
[1] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 413). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians and to the Philippians (p. 297). Columbus, O.: Lutheran Book Concern.
[3] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 410). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 8, 2015