Many years ago, a man told me that if I ever needed someone to go to a person in the church who was in sin, he was more than willing to go. He said, “That type of situation does not bother me; I do not mind having to rebuke a brother for his sin.”
He may have thought it strange that I never called on him, but it is really not so strange. I would rather call on someone who finds dealing with a brother in sin difficult and quite humbling. It seems to me that not being bothered by such a task is an immediate disqualifier.
Anyone can rebuke a Christian for his or her sin, but it takes a mature spiritual Christian to give a godly rebuke with a heart for restoration. A true heart for the restoration of a brother includes a willingness to be intimately involved in the process and a keen awareness of our own propensity to be overtaken by sin.
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Gal 6:1).
