How can I help others be restored to God?

Matthew 3:2“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Luke 1:77-79“You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Luke 24:47“It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”

Acts 2:37-38Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 3:19“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

2 Corinthians 5:18-21God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

We can help others be restored to God by sharing with them God’s call to repentance and his message of love and forgiveness.

James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

We can help others be restored to God by confessing our sins to one another, asking forgiveness of those we have wronged, and praying for and encouraging each other.

2 Corinthians 13:7-10We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. . . . I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

We can help others be restored to God by mentoring them, showing them how to live for God.

Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”

2 Corinthians 7:8-11I [Paul] am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.

Galatians 2:11When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.

Galatians 6:1If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

James 5:19-20If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

We can help others be restored to God by confronting their sin gently and humbly.

1 Timothy 1:20Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

We can help others be restored to God by maintaining hope in their repentance. Some people may need to be let go, meaning we stop pursuing them with the discipline process. We can only do so much to encourage repentance. Some may have to fully fall into the hands of Satan and experience the tragic feeling and consequences of being a slave to sin before they see the need for repentance and change. For some, they cannot experience the freedom Christ gives until they experience the tragic consequences of being under Satan’s control.

2 Corinthians 2:7-8Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

We can help others be restored to God by offering forgiveness and comfort in love.