Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

 

When we learn to live and love like Jesus, there is a holy reluctance to give up on our prodigals. Despite our frustration with their indifference or lack of commitment, we must refrain from judging them harshly or becoming self-righteous.

Love is the unifying and empowering factor that allows our community to express itself in creative restoring actions. We are called to help one other heal and get through trying time. A disheartened John Mark requires a reassuring Barnabas. A timid Timothy requires a courageous Paul. A fallen child of God needs a caring community to regain faith and trust in God.

According to the Apostle Paul, we must not be hesitant to call out or challenge undesirable behaviour, but we must do so with gentleness and humility to restore what has been lost.

Often, believers confuse gentleness with being nice. There are plenty of so-called nice Christians. When they are with you, they are friendly and pleasant, but they never help you reach your full potential in Christ. It is a friendship of convenience until suddenly, they leave you without any clear reasons or closure.

Gentleness is both a work and a fruit of the Spirit. As such, a gentle Christian never remains a passive bystander or ignores bad behaviour. Rather, a true child of God thinks and acts in response to the Spirit's prompting to make a significant difference in the lives of others in need.