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. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.                                                                                                              

                                                                                                               Galatians 6:1-2 

Our passage today is a reminder that Christians should be prepared to assist others who are in spiritual need. Specifically, Paul is referring to those who are “caught” in sin. The word he uses implies that the sin has entrapped the person perhaps before he/she could even recognize that it was happening. This is in direct opposition to the idea of “they made their bed, they can lie in it.” Christians should have sympathy to the weaknesses of others and be ready to help them. We are told that Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses because He has walked in human flesh, being tempted just like we have, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). If the Son of God, being perfect and untouched by sin, can sympathize with our weakness, how much more should we as fellow human beings, who sin ourselves, be willing to assist those “caught in sin.”

I like the fact that Paul says, “If anyone is caught in any trespass.” The original language suggests that it doesn’t matter who it is or with what they are struggling, Christians should care. However, our culture does not promote this type of thinking. We are often taught to mind our own business and to look out after ourselves only. The Bible suggests just the opposite. I do believe that it is important that the struggling individual desires help. If someone is resistant to intervention on the part of a believer, they should be sensitive to that and wait until an appropriate time, which may never occur. We have to honor the choices of someone who desires to live entrapped by sin. This can be the hardest part of being a believer.

But for those who need and want help, we are to restore them in a spirit of gentleness. To restore means to mend. This is the same word used when describing the disciples mending their fishing nets (Matthew 4:21). We all get rips and tears in our spiritual nets. The church should be ready to help repair those torn lives and that is to be done in a spirit of gentleness. People who are broken (even due to sin) don’t need a harsh, unloving response rather they need caring, understanding, sympathetic people to surround them and assist them in the restoration process. This is the role of the church.

As we attempt to help others, Paul reminds us to take the necessary precautions to guard ourselves against the same sin. None of us is beyond being tempted and falling into sin. Those who believe themselves to be spiritual “supermen” are usually the most easily deceived because they have an inflated view of themselves. We need to stay in a state of constant humility, remembering what we have been rescued from, as we attempt to assist others in their struggles. Regardless of what the world teaches us, when we bear one another’s burdens, we are fulfilling the law of Christ.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

                                                                                                            Philippians 2:3-4