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Restoration also takes time and effort, which may be why Paul said that we should also watch ourselves to make sure we are not caught in the same sin. It's not just about walking up to someone and telling them what they've done wrong and hoping they'll then put it right.

It's about getting to know that person and caring about them. Talking to them about the issues they're dealing with and trying, through prayer and in physical ways, to help them overcome this particular obstacle and restoring them to a right way of living. It may also mean revealing any insights we might have gained through our weaknesses in that same area... often God allows us to go through trials so we may be of help and comfort to others, and this is another reason why we should watch ourselves to make sure we're not pulled back into temptation... especially if we've been there before.

But the main point is that when one restores a house, or a chair, or an automobile, it takes much time and patience and love. Shouldn't it be even more so with this person whom God loved so much that he sent his Son as a sacrifice for? Certainly, if we spend time, and love and patience on a person, it is then much harder to be critical and to judge them. Perhaps, if we are inclined to judge, this is a warning that we are not investing enough time in them as we should. Also one must consider how much time we do, indeed, have to invest, and not engage in this work of restoration half heartedly, for fear that we do more damage than good. It is certainly a matter of prayer, to restore a brother or sister. As always, God will lead the way!