Bible Devotion - 4/25/2021

Everyone knows that the basic job description of the church was given by the Lord Jesus Christ in The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

First, we are to teach all nations or (make disciples) by winning people to Jesus.  Then we are to mark disciples by baptizing them into the church.  Then we are to mature disciples by teaching them the Word of God.  All of this can be summarized by the word RECONCILIATION.

We are told in II Corinthians 5:18 that God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  Reconciliation is simply when we take the hand of a sinner and place it in the hand of the Savior, and the result is salvation.

But the text before us gives what I believe to be one other ministry of the church.  We are not only to make disciples, mark disciples, and mature disciples, but we are also to mend disciples. This is the ministry of RESTORATION.

Galatians 6:1 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.

You can sum up the function of the church in two words:  reconciliation and restoration. Reconciliation is our ministry to fallen sinners.  Restoration is our ministry to fallen saints.
Fanny Crosby wrote a great old hymn called "Rescue the Perishing."  You can see both ministries recorded in this song:

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. (this is the ministry of reconciliation)
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen. (this is the ministry of restoration)

In Galatians 6:1 Paul is dealing here with a situation of a broken brother; someone who has been sabotaged by Satan, ambushed by the adversary, and has fallen into sin.  In military terms we would call them "casualties of war."

Now it is important to understand he is not talking here about an unbeliever, a person who lives in unbroken sin and rejects God.  This is a brother who is overtaken.  The word there means "to be caught by surprise."  In other words, this Christian was not out looking for sin, but because he wasn't looking for it, he tripped and fell into it.

Paul tells us in these two verses:

1. What needs to be done
2. WHO needs to do it
3. The WAY it is to be done
4. And WHY it should be done.

He gives us a clear description of the ministry of restoration.

The law of Moses has ten commandments, but the law of Christ has just one - LOVE.  Our ministry is RESTORATION, our manner is a spirit of MEEKNESS, but our motive is the LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.  "Tender loving care" is not a new concept.  Paul was preaching it 2,000 years ago.

One of the ways you can know that you are saved is if you love your brother in Christ.  We are told this in 1 John 3:14...

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

So one test of whether or not you are saved is:  Do you love your brother?  But what is the test of whether or not you love your brother?  How can you really know that you love your brother the way Jesus wants you to love him.

Well, here is the acid test:  If you really love your brother in Christ, when he is cut, you feel the wound.  When he falls, you feel the pain.

The first question ever asked by a human being recorded in human history was this one:  "Am I my brother's keeper?"  Well Paul gives the answer unequivocally here – Yes, I am!  I am responsible TO my brother. I am responsible WITH my brother. I am responsible FOR my brother.

Every empty spot and every empty pew in our church represents some member who has fallen. Many of them will get up if we will just be about the business of mending broken brothers.
So for those of you who want to please the Lord this week, find a sinner and tell them about the love of Jesus Christ and the judgment that is to come and participate in the ministry of Reconciliation.  But also look for a broken brother or sister as well, and love them and mend them and be about the ministry of restoration.  Both are the calling of the follower of Jesus Christ.


His Forever,

Bro. Jeff