Agents of Restoration

Galatians 6:1-6

He was my friend—a volunteer youth leader, a Sunday school teacher, a husband and a father. He was also cheating on his wife. I don’t believe he intended to have an affair at first, but unresolved issues in his marriage led him to turn to another woman. What started as an emotional affair became a physical one that ultimately led him to leave his wife and children behind.

In the aftermath, I tried several times to reach out to my friend about the situation, pleading with him to remember his vows before God and to try and save his marriage. He chose to ignore me, shut me out, and let me know that my opinion wasn’t wanted or needed. In the weeks that followed, I spent many counseling sessions with his wife and children and my anger and frustration with him began to grow and consume me. I wanted to see him hurt the way he had hurt those he had walked away from. Thankfully, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit of my sinful attitude and I started to pray for God’s will for my brother, not my own; in so doing I was able to forgive him.

The first verse of Galatians 6:1-6 tells us, “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.” The words “caught in any transgression” describe a situation similar to an animal that slowly enters a trap only to realize too late that they have been caught… my friend, who likely hadn’t planned to have an affair, found himself trapped in adultery nonetheless. The scripture tells us that if we see a brother or sister trapped in sin we are to help “restore” them. The word translated as restore is the Greek word Kataritzo, which means to ‘put in order’ and so to ‘restore to its former condition’. In medical terminology, it describes setting a fractured or dislocated bone. If you’ve ever had a broken bone set or a dislocated shoulder put back in place you know how painful “restoration” can be, but without it, healing can’t begin. Paul also warns that in the painful, messy business of restoration, our emotions and passions can get the better of us and can even lead us to sin if we’re not careful. As messy and challenging as the ministry of restoration and reconciliation can be, it is one of the most important things Jesus calls us to do. He tells us in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We are God’s chosen agents of restoration; may we carry out that calling in love.

In Christ’s Love,

Mike