Overtaken (Part 1)

Overtaken (Part 1)

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 don't have to be one that is overtaken in a fault. You can chose to live a life free of faults and walk circumspectly before the Lord. However if any fault overtakes you, it may take you away from the faith, His fellowship, ministry, or your calling. That’s how powerful a fault can be and the damage it can bring to your life and your loved ones.

 

One thing I find overlooked by many in the church is the ministry of restoration to the faith, to God, and to the ministry those overtaken by a fault or sin. Instead, we in the church often blow it up in our preaching, on social media and other media platforms. We want nothing to do with those overtaken in a fault and treat them like an outcast. We judge and condemn them and treat them as though they were the only ones that had ever fallen. As much as I hate to admit it, I've been guilty of that in the past and let my emotions affect my ministry to a fallen brother because of public opinion or fear of what my fellow ministers would say if I helped the fallen brother.

 

The world likes to rejoice and keep attacking when they see a christian leader or a believer in any denomination that is overtaken in a fault. I now believe this is a sign of lack of love among the brethren for those who have fallen. It is much easier to condemn than it is to forgive. Yet here's what the Bible says:

 

Proverbs 10:12  "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

Proverbs 17:9  "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

Yes, we despise sin and the destruction it can cause to our fellow laborers in the ministry and their families. These two verses remind us how canal many believers and most of of our churches and leaders are when it comes to restoration. Paul taught that those who are spiritual can’t behave in such a way. We are with the spirit of meekness, to restore those fallen as if we were the ones overtaken in a fault. We are to put ourselves in their shoes, knowing fully well that no one is immune to temptation and falling into any manner of sin.

 

You might not be overtaken in a fault of lying but it doesn't mean you don't have one. The fact your fault is not revealed doesn’t mean there is no fault you’re battling to overcome. If you think it can't happen to you, think again. We are all subject to failure and your weakness can grip you when you least expect it if you're not careful.

 

David didn't rejoice when he heard the news on King Saul's fall, but he was broken. He mourned for the anointed of God, the mighty, the beauty of Israel and enjoined folks not to publish the news, even to the hearing of the uncircumcised folks that had not part in the covenant of Jehovah God of Israel.

 

Canal Christians who find the fault of others and segregate against those overtaken in a fault should know that they are exposing themselves to be tempted by so doing.

 

A word to the wise:

-Be a restorer of one overtaken in a fault and not someone who continuously judges and condemns them.

-Don’t send them to hell twice through unhealthy attitudes; but pull them out of it by encouraging them through the word of God to overcome guilt and self condemnation. 

-Pray regularly for them. 

-Visit them and try to take them to fellowships and church meetings. 

-Try and help them understand that God can renew them.

-Don’t try to make yourself a superman or superwoman before them as though you have no sin in your life.  

Always remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12: 

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”