Judge Not: Pt. 5: Restoration
"Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself" (Galatians 6:1, NLT).

Introduction
We've looked at various aspects and real-life scenarios of judging, whether it be labeled discernment or out and out legalism. This series began as an exegetical look at Matthew 7:1-2, the "judge not unless you want to be judged" verses that are bruised and battered within and without the church. In this post, I want to examine what needs to happen after rightful judgment has been made - talking about discernment of activities here, not of a person's eternal destination, in the life of someone in the church.

The landscape
To me, there is nothing more tragic, sad and disappointing than hearing about how someone was hurt in a church to the point of leaving altogether. This has become an all too common occurrence and one that I believe can and must be avoided. While the person who was hurt does possess a degree of culpability in this scenario, stories and personal experiences have led me to believe that in many cases, one could hardly be blamed for leaving.
Paul instructions to the Galatians, which by the way was likely his first church letter, speak of how a Christian should be restored to fellowship. Now, there are some notes of interest that should be expounded upon briefly. First, it should be noted that this verse pertains only to those who are already Christians. Second, Paul is stating that it is entirely possible for a Christian to sin. Might he also be implying that one could lose their salvation as well? While not implicitly stated, the thought must be considered. Third, Paul is quite specific in stating that other Christians need to rally around their fallen brother or sister. And here is the rub...
Too often, this third note never occurs. Too often, this person is rejected, thrown to wolves, shot down by the very ones who are TOLD by the very book they claim to love! This point can't be missed! Our judgments that are geared towards other Christians are never, never, never intended to be ostracizing in nature. It is our duty as Christians to bring back those who have left, either from sin and shame or from being wounded by the church.
Paul places the emphasis on restoration in this passage for a reason. We must remember that the church is set up as a community first and foremost. A community, by its very nature is intended to build and to be built upon. We can't very well be building when we are tearing down, can we? It's pretty simple, or is it? Perhaps not, because then maybe, we'd see it more often.
Christians are called to surround the hurt, the fallen and the bruised in gentleness and humility. Paul's saying that we are not to hold the sin or hurt over the damaged person. In other words, other Christians in this case aren't to revel in the fallen, they are to remember that by the same measure that they give mercy, so shall they receive it. Maybe these words aren't so simple. I admit that I haven't always been as gentle and as merciful as I should have been. It becomes very easy at times to exalt our own perceived spiritual superiority over another's "weak faith". Yet, to do so flies completely in the face of scripture - not just this verse in Galatians, either.
Once again, I do understand that this post has some preachy elements in it, but what do you expect, haha... Also, I know that there is a bit of irony in noting that some judgment is required before restoration can begin. Remember, this though, the emphasis is upon restoring and rebuilding the kingdom and not upon the act of judging another here.