Bob Prichard

Topic(s): Evangelism, Family

When a Christian, especially a family member or a loved one, departs from the faith, it is a time of concern for the faithful. Paul told the Galatian Christians, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Since we know that disobedience among His children displeases God, the responsibility of restoring one who “errs upon the truth” (James 5:19) is an awesome responsibility.

The causes for a Christian going astray are many. Some leave the Lord out of willful disobedience. Many depart out of ignorance, not realizing that they must grow in their faith in Christ. Peter advised that we must add to our faith a number of qualities, including “virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love,” adding that “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:5-10). Some leave the paths of righteousness because they are too weak to stand against temptation. Others are like the soil in the parable of the sower: “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14).

As we try to restore the erring, especially loved ones, we need to realize, and convey to the erring one, that every member of the body of Christ is important. Often those who have fallen are not convinced that they should come back to the Lord, or that their repentance will be accepted. We must “hate the sin but love the sinner.” Paul reminds us, “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Listen carefully to the one who has strayed, so that you will understand how to be of help. The “spiritual” Christian must realize that the erring Christian has a spiritual problem, and that problem must be faced. That is where efforts of restoration must begin. It will involve much teaching, because inadequate teaching in the past will probably have contributed to straying from the Lord.

The most important thing to remember, however, is that the Christian attempting to restore the erring brother must go out of a deep love for the soul of the lost one. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). That love must be communicated to the lost person by word and by action, so that he will realize what he is missing by walking unworthily. Let love be the motivation for helping a fallen brother, in the spirit of Galatians 6:1, “restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” It will also help to pray, and to enlist the aid of other concerned Christians. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). The effort is worthwhile. Many have returned to Christ after years of disobedience, because someone loved them enough to seek to restore them.