Judge Not: Moving From Condemnation to Mercyნიმუში

Day 5 – Restoring, Not Condemning

Scripture: Galatians 6:1
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

By the time we reach this point in our journey from judgment to mercy, Jesus has made it clear: our call is not to stand over others in moral superiority but to come alongside them. And that is what Paul echoes in Galatians 6:1, "restore them gently."

There's a difference between judging someone and restoring someone. The judgment points fingers, exposes faults, and distances itself from the fallen person. Restoration, however, moves toward the person with grace, compassion, and a desire to see them made whole.

But, if we were to be honest, most of us don't instinctively choose restoration. We’re used to judgment, and the spirit of condemnation, therefore, feels comfortable. It requires nothing from us but a strong opinion. Restoring someone costs us time, emotional energy, and sometimes, our pride because we would be associated with someone capable of failure. Worse yet, restoring someone means remembering we're just as capable of failure.

Paul warns us: "Watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." Not just tempted to fall into the same sin but tempted to forget that we are not better. The moment we believe we're immune to someone else's struggle is when pride sets in, and as Proverbs reminds us, pride is always the prelude to a fall.

Restoration requires empathy, where we see the person, not just the sin. It means sitting in the middle of their mess, where someone's failure is undeniable, but your love for them is louder than their sin.

Consider how Jesus handled those caught in sin. In John 8, a woman caught in adultery is thrown at His feet by religious leaders eager to pass judgment. According to Jewish law, she deserved death. But Jesus did something remarkable. He did not condemn, nor did He let her off the hook. He stooped down, wrote in the dirt, and turned the spotlight back on the accusers: "Let any one of you without sin be the first to throw a stone."

Silence.

One by one, they dropped their stones and walked away. Finally, Jesus, the only one without sin and truly qualified to judge, looked at her and said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."

That's restoration. Truth and grace go hand in hand. Jesus didn't ignore her sin, but He also didn't crush her under the weight of it. He lifted her out of shame, pointed her toward freedom, and told her not to return to the destructive life of sin.

This compassion is our model.

Restoration is not pretending sin doesn't matter. It's not brushing things aside or avoiding hard conversations. It's stepping into someone's brokenness with a heart that says, "I'm here. You're not alone. There's a way forward."

That's where so many of us struggle. We don't know how to correct without condemning. We don't know how to call out sin without sounding self-righteous. But Scripture gives us the answer: do it gently. Lead with humility. Let your words be soaked in love, not laced with superiority.

One of the most powerful ways to restore someone is to start with your story. Share where you've failed and needed grace. Let them see that you're not the judge; you're a fellow traveler who knows what it feels like to fall and to be picked back up by the mercy of God.

Above all, let Scripture be the guide. We do not lean on our opinions, frustrations, or desire to “be right.” Instead, God's Word is the authority; let it speak. Let it do the work of convicting, correcting, and leading someone back to truth. Our job is to present the truth in love. God’s job is to pierce their life with His message of transformation.

When we choose restoration over condemnation, we reflect the heart of Christ. We become agents of healing in a world entirely of shame. We show people that failure is not the end of their story. Mercy is still possible. Forgiveness is still available.

Is there someone God is calling you to restore? Someone you've judged from a distance, but now God is prompting you to move toward with gentleness and grace? Don't ignore that nudge.

Restoration is messy. It's hard. It requires courage. But it also reflects the very heart of the gospel. After all, isn't that what Jesus did for us? He didn't leave us in our sins. Jesus, the Son of God, came for us. He restored us. And now He invites us to do the same for others.

Prayer Focus:

Father, thank You for restoring me when I didn't deserve it. Help me to be someone who restores, not condemns. Give me eyes to see others how You see them: loved, valued, worth redeeming. Teach me to speak the truth in love and to lead with gentleness and humility. It is in the name of Jesus we pray, amen.