When a fellow believer falls into sin, how should we respond? Should we forgive them? Should we welcome them back as if nothing happened? Should we restore them to their former roles if they had a position before falling?
Galatians 6:1 guides us: “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.”
But what does it actually mean to restore someone? And how is that different from forgiveness and reconciliation?
Forgiveness: Releasing the Debt
Forgiveness is the first step. We are commanded to forgive (Ephesians 4:32). It’s not about excusing sin but about releasing bitterness and resentment.
Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God, regardless of the other person's response.
Forgiveness does not require an apology from the offender.
Forgiveness does not mean trust is instantly restored.
God calls us to a forgiving heart and we are encouraged to forgive others as He has forgiven us—freely and completely. But that doesn’t mean everything returns to the way it was.
Don't be confused here. Some people say that they will not forgive until the other party repents and confesses, citing I John 1:9, which seems to imply that God will withhold forgiveness until confession is made. Now, certainly another party cannot experience your forgiveness in their life until they make themselves available to experience it, but this in no way implies that you hold judgmental, vengeful, angry, mean-spirited thoughts toward them until they ask for forgiveness.
Consider this. As a believer, all of our sins, past, present, and future, are already forgiven by God. Our eternal salvation is secure in Christ. Some may say then, "why do I need to confess them, if I am already forgiven?"
Let's deal with this a bit more, because I John 1:9 needs a bit more explanation.
Eternal Forgiveness vs. Daily Fellowship: It’s true that, as Christians, our future sins are already forgiven in the sense that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross covers all of our sins—past, present, and future (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 10:14). Our salvation is secure, and we stand justified before God through faith in Christ. However, the need for confession isn't about securing our eternal salvation—it’s about maintaining and restoring fellowship with God. Just as a child is always a child of their parent, but their relationship might become strained if there is disobedience or distance, our relationship with God is impacted when we sin, even though we remain His child.
Confession as Restoration, Not Re-salvation: Confession is an act of acknowledging sin, not for the purpose of gaining forgiveness in the sense of eternal salvation, but for the purpose of restoring fellowship. 1 John 1:9 teaches that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us. This speaks to the relational aspect of our walk with God. When we sin, it causes a rift or hindrance in our fellowship with Him, and confession clears that barrier, allowing us to walk in the fullness of His grace and peace again. In Psalm 66:18, it says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Similarly, Isaiah 59:2 speaks of sin separating us from God. While God’s forgiveness is always accessible through Christ, unconfessed sin may hinder the full restoration of our relationship with Him, especially in terms of fellowship.
Ongoing Sanctification: While our justification (being declared righteous before God) is once and for all through Christ’s finished work, our sanctification (the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ) is a continuous journey. Sin can hinder this process, and confessing sin is part of cooperating with the Holy Spirit in becoming more Christlike. It’s an expression of humility and a desire for purity, acknowledging that even though we are forgiven, we still need God’s help to grow in holiness.
Maintaining a Clear Conscience: Unconfessed sin can affect our conscience and hinder our peace with God. Hebrews 10:22 urges believers to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” Confession helps us maintain that clear conscience by acknowledging and dealing with sin, ensuring it doesn’t become a stumbling block in our walk with God.
The Example of the Lord's Prayer: Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This request for forgiveness comes even though we know God’s grace has already secured our forgiveness eternally. This emphasizes that, in our walk with God, ongoing confession of sin is a normal part of spiritual life. It is not a re-salvation but a regular recognition of our need for God’s grace and a restoration of our relationship with Him.
God's forgiveness is always available because of Christ's work on the cross. The Bible assures us that God's grace is abundant and His forgiveness is full, free, and extended to us. May we have that kind of heart!
We see this generous heart of forgiveness in the story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21). Joseph had already forgiven them, releasing any claim of vengeance, but he did not immediately trust them. He tested them to see if they had changed before fully reconciling. This illustrates that forgiveness is required, but trust must be rebuilt over time. This leads us to the idea of Reconciliation.
Reconciliation: Restoring the Relationship
Reconciliation goes beyond forgiveness. It means that people come back into a right relationship.
Reconciliation requires repentance. If someone is unrepentant or continues in sin, full reconciliation may not be possible.
Reconciliation takes time and wisdom. It’s not automatic. Just because we forgive doesn’t mean trust is immediately restored.
Romans 12:18 reminds us: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This shows that reconciliation depends on both parties.
We see an example in Peter's reconciliation with Jesus (John 21:15-17). Peter denied Christ three times, but after Jesus' resurrection, Jesus sought him out. Instead of merely forgiving Peter, and moving on, Jesus questioned him three times, reaffirming Peter’s love and commitment. This process demonstrated that reconciliation involves both forgiveness and the rebuilding of trust over time.
However, reconciliation does not always occur. An example of this breakdown is Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41). Their disagreement over John Mark was so severe that they parted ways. Though they were both godly men, they could not reconcile at that time. Later, Paul acknowledged John Mark’s value (2 Timothy 4:11), showing that while reconciliation may be delayed, it is still possible.
Restoration: Returning to Spiritual Health
Restoration is the process of helping a fallen believer return to a right relationship with God. Galatians 6:1 calls us to restore others gently and with humility.
In Galatians 6:1, the Greek word for "restore" is καταρτίζω (katartizo), which means to mend, repair, or make something complete. In classical Greek, this word was used to describe setting broken bones or repairing fishing nets (Matthew 4:21). This meaning reinforces the idea that restoration is a careful and intentional process, not merely reinstating someone to a former relationship or position but helping them regain spiritual wholeness.
Restoration is about spiritual renewal, not just resuming a role.
Restoration is different from reinstating leadership. Someone may be restored to fellowship, but that doesn’t mean they should return to the pulpit or a leadership position.
Paul provides a clear example of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration in 1 Corinthians 5. The church was instructed to put a man out of the church who was involved in gross immorality. But later, in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, Paul urged the church to forgive, reconcile, and restore him, emphasizing that punishment should not be excessive and that he should be welcomed back in love.
Application Beyond Church Leadership
These principles apply beyond ministry. These principles apply to friendships, family relationships, or workplace conflicts. One of the most significant relationships where forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration must be carefully considered is marriage.
Forgiveness in Marriage: Spouses are commanded to forgive one another (Colossians 3:13), even when deeply hurt. However, forgiveness does not necessarily mean overlooking or ignoring wrongdoing.
Reconciliation in Marriage: If one spouse has broken trust, reconciliation requires genuine repentance, effort, and time. Trust is rebuilt through consistent actions, not just words.
Restoration in Marriage: If a marriage has been damaged by sin, restoration involves both spiritual and relational healing. Counseling, accountability, and a renewed commitment to biblical principles are essential.
Jesus' teaching on marriage and forgiveness (Matthew 19:8-9) highlights that while reconciliation is the goal, persistent sin (such as unrepentant adultery) can prevent full restoration of the relationship.
When the Process Breaks Down
Forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration do not always happen successfully. Sometimes one party is unwilling to reconcile. Other times, restoration is attempted without true repentance or accountability, leading to further harm.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35) – A man who was forgiven a great debt refused to forgive a smaller debt, showing how unforgiveness can ruin relationships.
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) – Paul forgave many who wronged him, but Demas, who forsook Paul for the world, shows that restoration is not always possible when someone refuses to turn back.
King Saul (1 Samuel 15) – Saul’s repeated failure to repent led to his ultimate rejection by God, demonstrating that true restoration requires a genuine change of heart.
What Should Our Response Be?
Forgive – Release bitterness, no matter what.
Seek Reconciliation – If possible, work toward healing the relationship.
Encourage Spiritual Restoration – Help them return to a right walk with God.
Forgiveness is always required. Reconciliation is ideal but depends on repentance. Restoration is about helping someone recover spiritually, but it doesn’t always mean returning them to their previous position.
These principles apply in all relationships—within the church, in leadership, and in marriage. As Christians, we must reflect Christ in how we handle the failures of others—balancing truth, grace, and wisdom.
How can we better reflect Christ in how we handle the failures of others?
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