1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
“even if anyone is caught in any trespass” - Paul understands there is no such thing as “sinless perfection” (until we are with the Lord). Our reborn spirit will be permanently bonded with our new miraculous body. “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2b)
What a fantastic thing to ponder: He could go through walls, closed doors, ascend into heaven! We get to share in that. We will walk with God in the New Jerusalem. “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes...” (Rev. 21:3,4). What a great one to contemplate.
Almost all of the letters in the Bible canon recognize believers will sin. (See: Rom. 7:15-17) When we sin, we have a remedy - confession and repentance. (See: 1 John 1:8,9) When a believer sins, the reputation of the church (local body of Christ) may be damaged. What are we to do? Cast them into the outer darkness until they are perfect? (See: Matt. 18:15-17) Pray for them? (See: Jam. 5:15, 19-20.) We must be humble, knowing we also will sin. We must comfort, cajole, exhort the person who has fallen to win them back into a right relationship with Jesus.
“you who are spiritual” - Who among us is spiritual? That is not a facetious question. My spirituality is between Jesus and me. So then, how do others know I may be spiritual? I mean, how will others come to believe that I am controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in Gal. 5:22-25. If we are in Christ, i.e., controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will bear much fruit. (See also: John 15:2, 4-8)
The “bearing fruit” is often used to mean to lead others to Christ so they may be saved. That is true, but Jesus promised an abundant life. (See: John 10:10) Compare Gal. 5:19-21 to Gal. 5:22-25. Which lifestyle is manifest to others as you go through each day - (vss. 19-21) or (vss.22-25)? It should be intuitively obvious to the most casual observer. (See: 1 John 3:10.)
“restore such a one” - Bring that believer back to spirituality! Not thinking of ‘Pharisaic spirituality’ - where it seems to be all surface, all display but no substance. Removing someone from fellowship in the local church is the last resort. Only when that person refuses to repent, refuses to confess; only when that person turns his back on the church is the drastic measure taken. Without Christian fellowship, exhortation, teaching there is little hope for reversal. If, however, that person confesses before the believers and repents of his behavior there is hope for spiritual healing. Those who truly repent will encourage others to hold them accountable. (See: Matt. 18:15-17; Jam. 5:19-20, 2 Thess. 3:13-15)
“each one looking to yourself” - Do these ‘interventions’ with gentleness so you will not be tempted by pride to consider yourself better than others. Be humble. Be subject to the Lord. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Pride is blandly sinister: How can you not like yourself and your accomplishments? Pride leads us headlong into destruction (Pro. 16:18). God does not like pride; actually, He hates it. (Pro. 8:13).
Humbleness can keep us from stumbling into sin by centering us on Christ. By living in His power and love for us. We recognize that it is nothing we can do to save us; we are wholly dependent on Him. If there is no sin in your life and behavior, it is because the Holy Spirit has guided you, and you have followed His lead. (See: Pro. 29:23).
Be careful, be very careful.
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