James 5:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Restoration is a serious matter with God and it should be to us as well. When we get caught up in sin, all too often we go just deep enough that we can’t get out by ourselves. It requires someone coming alongside to lift us up and then start holding us accountable.
Failure happens almost every single time someone decides to hold themselves accountable instead of an accountability partner. There are too many secrets and too many places to hide and being alone in the process just makes it all that much easier to stay in sin.
When someone knows they are in sin and rejects the help of Godly restoration by someone that is ready to go to battle with them, it typically means they are enjoying their sin more than they desire righteousness. One cannot be forced to be restored. They must truly desire it from their innermost being or it will never take place.
For those people, it’s easier to stay in the shadows than stand in the light.
John 3:20-21 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.
The hard part comes when one must break fellowship due to their unrepentance. We understand that it is not US breaking fellowship, but THEM by their choice. While we will be accused of cutting them off of fellowship, scripture CLEARLY gives directions for the believer. Ultimately, the unrepentant “believer” is the one making the choice, not the one that desires to restore.
1 Corinthians 5:11-12 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people. It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
In all things, seek God's Wisdom. Pray for those that want to be restored. Pray even more those that DO NOT want to be restored.
Much love,
Rooster