What should the church do with a believer who has fallen into sin?
The church should not kick such a person out, but should restore them in a spirit of meekness. Spiritual leaders are to deal with the fallen believer, offering prayer, encouragement, forgiveness, and continued love, while remembering their own vulnerability to temptation.
Les explains that Galatians 6:1 is addressed to brethren, meaning believers, and specifically to those who are spiritual—the actual leaders of the congregation. When someone is overtaken in a fault or gross sin, the instruction is not to kick them out but to restore them in the spirit of meekness. He notes that people often smile or joke about such failures instead of recognizing that the person needs prayer, encouragement, and forgiveness. The event in Corinth directly bore on this verse, and Paul told the church to forgive that man and continue to love him. Les warns that harsh judgment sets yourself up as the next one to fall.
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.
More Questions
How should a believer caught in sin be restored, and why in meekness?
A fallen believer is to be restored in a spirit of meekness, and the reason given is "considering thyself, lest thou also be" — that is, lest you fall too.
How should the church respond to a believer who has been caught in sin?
When a believer is caught in a fault, those who are spiritual are to restore such a one in the spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1).
Who is supposed to restore a believer who has fallen into a fault?
It is those who are spiritual — especially the leaders of the church — who are to restore a person who has fallen into a fault.