Sunday, June 27, 2021
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:1-3) This passage directs qualified, spiritually equipped believers to be available to minister restoration to fellow believers wo have fallen aside or been trapped or bond by sin.
In John 11:44 is an illustration to this principle of restoration: “And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.'” This is an illustration of a man, who has a new lease on life, but he is still bound by the things of the past (the linen strips – grave clothes). Note that Jesus told His disciples to “loose him, and let him go.”
Today, Jesus still entrusts the reborn/forgiven soul to the ministry of a caring disciples, to minister wherever or whenever bondages of the past still reside within a life. When an individual’s past threaten his or her growth in the family of God then added ministry is needed.
In one’s new life, forgiveness of all sin is secured instantly through justification by faith and repentance in Christ, but additional ministry is often needed to help with breaking old sin patterns.
You are loved, Pastor Don
Cornerstone Worship Center 