Together in Christ: 'Help, Not Hurt' — Galatians 6:1

Jesus' powerful images of loving leadership included a shepherd searching for a lost sheep and a shepherd protecting the sheep in His flock. ^[1] Jesus wants us to know He is our God-sent Shepherd who came to earth to find us and bring us safely home to God with great joy!

Jesus gave up everything to reclaim us when we had gone astray. ^[2] Now, the Lord wants us to find our brothers and sisters who have lost their way and bring them home. ^[3] Instead of gossiping and feeling superior to a brother or sister caught in sin and drifting from a JesuShaped lifestyle, we are to "gently and humbly" help them "back onto the right path." As we approach them, we must also be on guard against falling into sin ourselves. Jesus warned that we must address our sins if we want to help our straying friends properly address their sins. ^[4]

Reclaiming a wayward follower of Jesus can feel challenging, but the result, when successful, brings great joy in heaven and among Jesus' followers on earth. And, as James, the half-brother of Jesus, said:

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 from wandering will save that person from death and bring the forgiveness of many sins. ^[5]