When We Lead Erring Christians From Apostasy Back To God Their Lifestyle And Belief In Doctrinal Truth Will Regain Harmony 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. (Gal 6:1) I Will Restore - https://youtube/watch?v=68h7rDLHx-U What a powerful message from the Lord this morning. God is reminding those of us who are spiritually stronger to be like John and Elijah. Instead of gossiping about the brother or sister who has been overtaken by a fault, like John we should encourage this individual to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Our focus should be on restoration and not on condemnation. But how many of us find the time to call another church brother or sister to tell them about the sins committed this fallen individual. We are always so eager to share the bad news about a fallen “soldier” instead of trying to find a way to help those who have succumb to the traps of Satan. Do these actions reflect that we have been with Jesus? Or are they consistent with the attitude of Satan. Sometimes our desire to look better than others will drive us to fall to the traps of Satan in the same way the brother or sister that we are gossiping about have fallen. What do God really expect from us when we see a brother or sister fall in sin. In Gal. 6:1 the apostle Paul spells it out very clear for us. He said, “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.” God wants us to allow Him to work through us to restore the fallen. He wants us to see Him at work restoring those of have fallen into temptation so that we can gain confidence in His ability to restore us and keep us from falling. The writer of the lesson reminds us that restore the fallen brother or sister can be difficult at times. The writer said, “This work requires much patience, sympathy, tenderness, and humility.” Sometimes we are so impatient with those of our brother and sister who we believe should know better. We are so quick to give up on those who seem to be “hard ears” and who are taking too long to get out of their sinful condition. Think for a moment out that particular sin that we have been doing from we were a child. Do we every feel that God has given up on us? Do you every feel that He will not forgive us of this particular sin? Have we experienced the patience of God in our lives as we struggle to overcome this weakness in our character? If God has been so patient with us, why do we find it so difficult to be patient with others? I pray that as we study the lesson this morning, that we will continue to allow the Holy Spirit to help to be kind and affectionate one with another, forgiving each other as Christ has forgiven us. I pray that those of us who are spiritually stronger will continue to help those who are spiritually weaker to receive the restoration and forgiveness required to get back on the Lord’s side. God has called us at such a time as this to be like Elijah. Let us continue to help someone today. Among the mountains of Gilead, east of the Jordan, there dwelt in the days of Ahab a man of faith and prayer whose fearless ministry was destined to check the rapid spread of apostasy in Israel. Far removed from any city of renown, and occupying no high station in life, Elijah the Tishbite nevertheless entered upon his mission confident in Gods purpose to prepare the way before him and to give him abundant success. The word of faith and power was upon his lips, and his whole life was devoted to the work of reform. His was the voice of one crying in the wilderness to rebuke sin and press back the tide of evil. And while he came to the people as a reprover of sin, his message offered the balm of Gilead to the sin-sick souls of all who desired to be healed. (Prophets and Kings, pg. 119 – Ellen G. White) For several years after the call of Elisha, Elijah and Elisha labored together, the younger man daily gaining greater preparedness for his work. Elijah had been Gods instrument for the overthrow of gigantic evils. The idolatry which, supported by Ahab and the heathen Jezebel, had seduced the nation, had been given a decided check. Baals prophets had been slain. The whole people of Israel had been deeply stirred, and many were returning to the worship of God. As Elijahs successor, Elisha, by careful, patient instruction, must endeavor to guide Israel in safe paths. His association with Elijah, the greatest prophet since the days of Moses, prepared him for the work that he was soon to take up alone. During these years of united ministry, Elijah from time to time was called upon to meet flagrant evils with stern rebuke. When wicked Ahab seized Naboths vineyard, it was the voice of Elijah that prophesied his doom and the doom of all his house. And when Ahaziah, after the death of his father Ahab, turned from the living God to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, it was Elijahs voice that was heard once more in earnest protest. The schools of the prophets, established by Samuel, had fallen into decay during the years of Israels apostasy. Elijah re-established these schools, making provision for young men to gain an education that would lead them to magnify the law and make it honorable. Three of these schools, one at Gilgal, one at Bethel, and one at Jericho, are mentioned in the record. Just before Elijah was taken to heaven, he and Elisha visited these centers of training. The lessons that the prophet of God had given them on former visits, he now repeated. Especially did he instruct them concerning their high privilege of loyally maintaining their allegiance to the God of heaven. He also impressed upon their minds the importance of letting simplicity mark every feature of their education. Only in this way could they receive the mold of heaven and go forth to work in the ways of the Lord. The heart of Elijah was cheered as he saw what was being accomplished by means of these schools. The work of reformation was not complete, but he could see throughout the kingdom a verification of the word of the Lord, Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal. 1 Kings 19:18. (Prophets and Kings, pg. 225 – Ellen G. White)
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:20:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015