By Cindy Phillips
Winter in Upstate New York – always an adventure 
The recent ice storm kept us from Fellowship Sunday. All that ice caused me to think about the slippery slope of sin. Just as one misstep can cause you to slip and slide down an ice covered slope, acts of unrepentant sin can lead to an uncontrolled spiral away from God. Oh, it starts so small. One small act against the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit leads to another, then another. The longer you exercise the sin the quieter and quieter the voice of wisdom will be to you. Down the slope you go.
Getting out of this sin-pit is not easy. Unbelievers often realize they hit rock bottom and are shaken. This is when they can see God for the first time. It seems God gives a special grace to cause them to wake up. But when believers find themselves trapped in habitual sin, after having once received this special grace that drew them to God when they got saved, they need a different type of help. These fallen believers need help from their brethren. Fellow believers can help the prodigals come home. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend, James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
What does this look like? When a brother or sister is trapped in sin, they often can’t find their way out. This is when another believer can lead them out. The thing you don’t want to do is tell them their sin is ok. Bring them to the Word so they can see clearly what they are doing is unacceptable. It’s not what you think, it’s what God thinks that is important. Call sin for what it is. Too many Christians have to attitude “oh, Johnny is saved, just living in sin” as if it’s ok. We need to help them see what they are doing is not ok and help them want to be set free. Lead them to repentance.
There are two things required for a brother or sister in Christ to help a fallen brother or sister. First, you need to get to know the other person. If you know them you will be able to see things they have become hardened to, you will be able to see beyond the “public face” so many put on to keep others from knowing them. Of course, what you don’t want to do is foster a critical spirit. You must remove the plank from your own eyes first so you can help them with their speck (Matt 7:3). The second thing you need to do is love them. Do you care enough about your brother or sister’s walk to help them get free?
Just as cleats on your shoes can keep you from starting to slip down that icy slope, close Christian friendships can help keep you on the narrow path of obedience. Cherish the close friendships you have. Care enough to hold others accountable and be accountable to them.