September 1, 2025

OUR HONOR TO SHOW GRACE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“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.”

Galatians 6:1 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

In Galatians, Paul has been confronting the Judaizers—those who insisted that Gentile believers had to follow Jewish law to be considered true Christians. These legalists added heavy burdens, much like the Pharisees Jesus described in Matthew 23:4: “They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”

One clear difference between legalism and the gospel of grace is how we respond to the failures of others.

• A legalist sees someone’s failure as a chance to condemn, shame, or make themselves look more righteous.

• Grace sees failure as an opportunity for restoration, healing, and growth.

Sadly, even today, some people build their entire ministry around criticizing others. They claim to be “defenders of truth,” but in reality, they function more like the accuser of the brethren—the title Scripture gives to Satan. If I see it as my job to constantly expose the sins of others, I’m aligning myself with the wrong side.

Paul instead calls us to the ministry of restoration. He gives us three clear instructions:

1. Don’t Excuse Sin

We’re not called to ignore sin, cover it up, or pretend it doesn’t matter. True forgiveness and freedom only come after confession—admitting the sin before God. Ignoring sin doesn’t heal; it only allows deeper damage.

2. Do Restore Gently and Humbly

Once confession happens, our role is to help a struggling believer repent and walk in a new direction. Someone “overcome” by sin often can’t see clearly how they got trapped. That’s where we step in—not to condemn but to guide.

Paul uses a picture here of mending a net or resetting a broken bone. Resetting a bone is painful, but it allows healing and long-term strength. In fact, when a bone heals properly, it often becomes stronger than before.

That’s what restoration in the body of Christ should look like. When we walk someone through confession, repentance, and healing, they can actually come out stronger becoming a testimony of God’s grace to others.

3. Remember Our Own Weakness

Paul warns, “watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (NIV). Restoration must never come from an attitude of superiority. We are just as human, just as capable of falling.

The most judgmental people are often those hiding their own sins. But those who remember their own weakness can restore others with gentleness, humility, and compassion.

None of us are perfect. None of us have the right to throw stones. What we do have is the privilege of showing the grace that God has so generously shown us.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to be a restorer. Guard me from pride and harshness. Let me offer grace to those who stumble and show me how to walk beside them in humility so they can be healed and made strong again. Amen.

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