Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you
who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching
out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens;
in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Jesus is the only good guy
to ever walk the earth. We are all bad
guys. If this were a western movie, only
Jesus would have a white hat. The rest
of us would be sporting black hats and bandanas. So let’s not pretend when we get together for
Connection Group that the only prayer requests we have are for other people we
know who are struggling.
Do not believe the lie that
confessing your sin disqualifies you from being a member of a community of
people seeking Jesus. It is a lie from
the devil. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful to forgive us our shortcomings.
If we claim we are without sin, we make Him out to be a liar (1 John
1:8-10). Confessing sin is a prerequisite of communion with Christ, not a disqualifier.
Candeo needs men and women
who are eager to restore their brothers and sisters with gentle spirits: capable
and qualified men and women who are able to save drowning swimmers without
themselves being drowned. Candeo needs
drowning people who cry out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt 14:30) in the hearing of
others who are being saved.
The law of Christ is
fulfilled when saints confess their sins and carry one another’s burdens, just
like Jesus carries ours.
Jesus, You ever live and plead for me before the Father. You know my sin. You know my fears. I confess that I pretended to be alright when I was all wrong. Help me to confess my sin. Provide Candeo with credible men and women who confess their sins. May we carry one another's burdens as Christ has carried ours. May we seek to restore those in sin. Grant us gentle spirits to minister to those entangled in sin. Protect us from being taken under as well. None of us is ever beyond our need for You to save us daily in Jesus' Name. Amen.
