Ministering to others
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer 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. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:1-3
Sin brings death; “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Sin brings destructions to relationships, prevents individuals to experience real joy, and suppresses one’s ability to experience peace. This is why God admonished believers not to take for granted when a brother or a sister in the Lord drifts away from the truth and starts to embrace the world and its teachings. God called believers to take gentle action towards an erring brother or sister in Christ. Your life should become an example of what a committed life in Christ should look like. This places a restraint to other believers to continue in the life of sin. The sad thing is when a committed believer shrugs off their shoulders when another believer chooses to live a life of sin. The response is not to speak about the matter for fear of getting branded as judgmental by the people around. Your inaction prevents you to intercede for someone. Christ ‘s heart was broken when He saw people continually living in sin. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me” (Matthew 23:37). In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus interceded for young disciples to remain strong and steadfast and that they will not give in to temptations. Jesus gave His life by dying on the cross so He could free those who believed in Him from the power and bondage of sin. From the text, the Apostle Paul reminded Christians of their roles towards other Christians. When you think that you are suppose to be just minding your own business, you lose the opportunity to minister to others by bringing them back to God. Do not let your selfishness prevent you from helping other believers. Think of the grave consequence when you ignore the opportunity to help another believer. Be willing to obey God when He wants to use you to confront a sinning brother or sister. “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins” (James 5:19-20).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman Westside Baptist Church Los Angeles, CA
