I once read of a study that took place in Alameda County, California.  Researchers studied the lives of 7,000 people over a period of nine years.  Their research showed that in that nine year span – people who were isolated were three times more likely to die than people with strong relational connections.They also found that people who had bad health habits (smoking, drinking, poor diet, no exercise) but had strong relational ties, lived significantly longer than people with great health habits but were isolated.I believe we were created by God for community.  You can’t grow spiritually in a consistent way unless you are in community.  You can’t serve your brothers and sisters unless you are in community.  You can’t receive the love and assistance you need unless you are in community.One of the areas in which we need one another the most is when we fall into sin. How do we get back up? How are we restored? How can we start again in Christ? We know God is merciful, loving, and forgiving, but it’s difficult to be restored all alone.I remember the humorous story of a man that was walking down the road with a big sack of potatoes on his shoulder.  It was a hot day, the load was heavy, and he was getting sweaty.  After a while a man in a truck pulled up and offered him a ride.  The man climbed in the truck, but kept the big sack of potatoes on his shoulder.  The driver looked over and said, “man, put that sack on the floor and relax.”  To which the man replied, “No sir, I won’t do it.  It’s enough that you would give me a ride, I’m not going to ask you to carry these potatoes too.”And this is what we often say to the Lord.  “Lord, I can carry this, I got this.”  I can do this all by myself, yet we continue to fall again, and again, and again. This is not the will of God. The path for restoration includes community.Galatians 6 - “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Some translations say “fallen” into sin, others say “caught” in a sin.  Either way, a follower of Christ is struggling with a sin or sins.  Paul is saying that a believer that is struggling in sin should not face it alone.  Those who are spiritual stand with the brother/sister and help them to be restored.  What do we do with someone who has fallen in sin?  We restore them.  This word “restore” means to make something right by bringing it back to its former condition.  In other words, restoration is a necessary part of the healing process.  If someone we know and love, someone who is a part of our church community has fallen into sin, if they have become broken or torn apart by sin, they need someone who will come alongside them to lift them up.There has been a question in my heart all week and it is this: “Who does God want to restore through me?”  I’ll ask you the same question: “Who does God want to restore through you? James 5:19-20 – “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”How do we restore them?  With gentleness and humility.This doesn’t mean that we do not confront them of the sin, nor does it mean that we don’t hold them accountable and regularly ask them the difficult questions, but we do it with love and gentleness.  Today’s Challenge: Let me ask you a question? Will you partner with Jesus to restore the fallen and the broken. It’s messy and sometimes painful, but there is great joy in seeing people forgiven, restored, and following Jesus. 

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