Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1—NIV)

God requires the church to be instrumentally proactive in the restoration process when one of its members falls. The word trespass means a lapse into sin through a helplessness to prevent it, one taken by surprise before he had a chance to escape. It is a failure to live life in dependence upon the Spirit as described in Galatians 5. It is a singular action rather than a continual behavior, to blunder.

Restoration refers to the act of resetting a bone for healing. The word picture is quite rich in meaning. A bone out of joint or broken is: 1) not in the right relationship with the head or the body, 2) not going to obey the head or work with the body, 3) is a source of pain to the head and body, 4) is a source of pain to itself, and 5) the longer it remains out of place the harder it is to restore to working order.

The process of restoration would be like setting the errant believer on the right road. It is task of the body which is to be walking in humble obedience to the Lord to take up the cause of restoration for the Head, body, and member’s sake. Spiritual believers are to do so with a gentle spirit of strength under control (meekness) all the while recognizing that the way of restoration is fraught with dangerous temptation.

The following verse reminds the local church that we are to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. What better way to complete the picture of the body working together to promote the healing of the "out-of-joint" brother!

As a believer you must make it your aim to walk in the Spirit and watch unto prayer for the body and its work. It is that humble spiritual-mindedness which equips you to take part in body restoration for the sake of the Savior and for the sake of His saints. Strengthen your prayer life and so strengthen the church.