The High Road of Restoration

Eccl 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

When I hear about the failures of people like John Edwards, Ted Haggard, officers convicted of a scandal or others who has fallen, my heart breaks. What’s worse is it seems almost as though we are happy to see others fail. We send letters and emails . . . did you hear about (fill in the blank) . . .?

Proverbs 18:8 is true: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.”

Rather than condemn those that fall and add to their pain, should we not try to restore them? Try to help them? Perhaps the reason they fell in the first place is because we weren’t a very good friend.

The second part of the Ecclesiastes text says:

“Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:11-12)

I recently heard about an officer convicted of a sex crime . . . I don’t know him at all, but my heart sank as I saw the matter splattered all over the internet. I paused in reflection and wondered, “Does he have anyone to help him up? There are plenty who will throw rocks and say “I always knew that guy was weird.” But is there anyone spiritual who cares enough to stand with him?

Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” Those that choose to kick a brother when they’re down simply aren’t spiritual.

Is there someone you know that needs a friend right now? Is there someone you know that has fallen and needs to be restored? Why not take the high road – reject the “choice morsels” of gossip and gently restore your friend.