Bind Don't Break

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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Gal 6:1-3

Yet another command that flys in the face of our natural response. When someone we love sins, especially when that sin has consequences that hurt us, our gut reaction is to be angry, to pull away from them and (at least myself) to stew and fume about it. "How could they?" "What were they thinking?" But what does Paul say? Restore with gentleness? How am I supposed to do that? First easy (and painful) step is to look at yourself. Honestly. How can I be angry when I'm guilty of worse? When I've hurt others with my sin just as deeply as they have. When we see the depth and true nature of our sin, it pulls it all back into perspective and allows us to see the situation with God's eyes (albeit imperfectly of course) and makes the gentleness part make more sense. If He could look at me in my worst moment, and still lay His life down, how dare I act like the servant in Matt 18? He has forgiven much, we must likewise forgive much. And we must reach out to and love, go over and above to show our love for the hurting, bleeding, remorseful, consequence-bearing sinner, our brother, fellow heir, our familiar friend, the one-of-my-hug. We did enjoy sweet fellowship, and we will again. Betrayal hurts, it hurts more if we cut off the fallen brother. We wouldn't cut off our hand if our finger got hurt, we don't amputate parts of our body (normally) because of damage or brokenness, why would be do so with the body of Christ? We must follow our Master, bind up the broken, protect the smoldering wick, guard the bruised reed. Forgive, forget, restore and love. Simple words, hard to do, but blessed by His unfathomable power if we are faithful to walk in them. Love can indeed cover all.