When someone we know gets caught in a wrong, do we expose them or help them back up? In this Sunday message from June 29, 2025, Robert Swan taught on living and leading with grace, the kind that restores people instead of shaming them.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1 (KJV)

Remember who shaped you

Robert told the story of a young man who met his old primary school teacher at a wedding. The teacher didn’t remember him, but the young man said he had become a teacher himself because of him. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow” (Hebrews 13:7). A few people in the room named a teacher who had shaped them. Have you ever told yours? “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We have all fallen short

Back in school, the young man explained, a classmate brought a new watch to class, and he stole it. When the boy went to the teacher in tears, the young man was sure he would be found out. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That’s why Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), and “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone” (John 8:7).

Eyes closed

The teacher had every student close their eyes and face the wall while he searched each pocket. He found the watch in the young man’s pocket, but kept searching to the very last student. Then he gave the watch back and never said where he found it. Years later the young man thanked him for saving his dignity. The teacher answered that he never knew who took it, because he had searched with his own eyes closed.

That is a picture of God’s mercy. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

Clothe yourself with grace

Discipline that shames tears a person down. Discipline that restores helps them back onto the right path. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Colossians 3:12–14 tells us to put on mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness and patience, and above all, love.

Think of someone who has let you down. This week, look for a way to cover them with grace instead of exposing them, and leave the final judgment to God. And once God forgives you, don’t keep digging your old sins back up.

Is there something you need to bring to God? Send a prayer request. We’ll pray with you.

Related messages: What Is Prayer?, Reasons to Pray, Bold Prayer, Persistent Faith.