Sadly, in every organisation of human beings, things sometimes go wrong. I love the gracious and positive way in which Paul addresses this issue. When someone sins, it’s not the end of the world and we don’t need to make a drama out of it, but action needs to be taken, quickly. The goal is always restoration, but that needs to be done really carefully. The three major qualifications of people who help with restoring someone who has done wrong are these: godliness, gentleness and humility.

A godly person has their mind fixed on serving God and not themselves. They get involved in helping someone who has slipped up because of their love for God and their desire for his honour and glory. Clearly, it would be disastrous if a person got involved because they were looking for their own glory, or because they just loved being part of the action.

Gentleness is a crucial quality. Strong-arm tactics will never achieve God’s purposes. Gentleness might at times be thought of as weakness, but it is in fact enormously strong. Frances de Sales got it right when he said: “Nothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”

Possibly the most vital quality is humility. The only real way to help someone who has sinned is to remind yourself not only that you are a sinner, but that you are vulnerable and could fall into exactly the same sin yourself.

Restoration is a wonderful blessing, so we need to give thanks for those godly, gentle and humble people who are willing to bring it about. Every church and organisation needs them.

Who do you know who could be described as godly, gentle and humble?

Lord God, I thank you for those who have the gift for bringing about restoration. Help me to recognise and celebrate their gifts. Amen