Bring Them Back: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySampel

HOW DO I DO THIS? BE GENTLE

The two greatest missionary heroes of the age of the apostles were Peter and Paul. Both had an enormous impact on the early church, gathering believers and planting congregations. They both left behind profound writings that anchor the doctrinal portion of the New Testament.

And yet both had much in their pasts to be ashamed of. Peter denied knowing or believing in Jesus on the dreadful night of Jesus' arrest and trials. For the rest of his life, the crowing of a rooster at dawn gave him bad flashbacks. Paul spent his earliest adult years violently persecuting Christians.

Those memories kept them humble and kept their words soft when they sought to restore others whose lives were unraveling: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently" (Galatians 6:1).

Shaming and shunning only push people farther away from their Savior. Be kind to sinful fools. You were one once, and a time may come when you are one again.