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Paul told Galatian Christians that concern for fellow believers is to be
deep and genuine. When we see a spiritual family member who has been
defeated by evil, our first thought is "rescue" (Galatians 6:1). The
spiritual seek to restore the fallen.
The rescuer accepts two personal responsibilities in a conscientious attempt
to rescue. First, he or she accepts the responsibility to act in the spirit
of gentleness. Second, he or she will consider thyself {yourself} (KJV,
NKJV), look at yourself (RSV, NEB, NASV), watch yourself (NIV), keep an eye
on yourself (TEV), or not forget that it could happen to you (JB).
As I function in Christ's behalf, I always keep an eye on me. The "eye"
does not examine me to verify my "rightness" and his or her "wrongness." My
"eye" examines my spirit. Gentleness is a genuine, natural expression of
spirituality. The spirits of censor, judgment, condemnation, criticism, or
indignation are not expressions of spirituality in rescue attempts.
Even in rescuing the fallen, the spiritual are concerned about their own
hearts and attitudes. Effective rescue attempts extend kindness in
compassion. They do not throw rocks at the defeated.
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