It is at the cross where we are restored; God did a marvelous thing for lost humanity at Calvary. In giving His Son He gave us a chance at getting things right with Him. Jesus, in giving His life, paid the price it would take for this restoration with our Father. This is wonderful grace…marvelous grace…amazing grace! But once we become a child of God what happens when we mess things up? After all no one is perfect, right? Glad these things are on your mind because they’re on mine as well.
People are looking to be restored and I believe we have a part to play in that restoration process. Paul instructs us in Galatians,
Brethren, even if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, let you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
The word Paul uses for restoration is a surgical term. The word means “to set a broken bone.” Now, I’ve never broken a bone before but in the nine years I worked with teenagers I had plenty of opportunity to see broken bones and they are painful, but “fixable.” This is how I see the Christian life. When we sin (“overtaken in any trespass”) it is painful to God, us and those around us, but every relationship can be put back into place (“restored”) just like a broken bone. It is the obligation of fellow believers (you and me) to surgically help people to rebuild their relationships. This will involve many actions on our part which include prayer, counseling, Bible study, and just being a good friend. It is when the church refuses to do these things that believers become discouraged and give up trying to be “restored.”
Casualties lie all around us evidenced by believers who are spiritually cripple because the church refused to get involved in their lives. I also realize this is a two-way street. Some of the cripples are that way because they refused the biblical correction offered, and that is a whole other tragedy.
So, are you scrubbed up and ready for surgery?
Happy Thanksgiving,
Scott
People are looking to be restored and I believe we have a part to play in that restoration process. Paul instructs us in Galatians,
Brethren, even if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, let you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
The word Paul uses for restoration is a surgical term. The word means “to set a broken bone.” Now, I’ve never broken a bone before but in the nine years I worked with teenagers I had plenty of opportunity to see broken bones and they are painful, but “fixable.” This is how I see the Christian life. When we sin (“overtaken in any trespass”) it is painful to God, us and those around us, but every relationship can be put back into place (“restored”) just like a broken bone. It is the obligation of fellow believers (you and me) to surgically help people to rebuild their relationships. This will involve many actions on our part which include prayer, counseling, Bible study, and just being a good friend. It is when the church refuses to do these things that believers become discouraged and give up trying to be “restored.”
Casualties lie all around us evidenced by believers who are spiritually cripple because the church refused to get involved in their lives. I also realize this is a two-way street. Some of the cripples are that way because they refused the biblical correction offered, and that is a whole other tragedy.
So, are you scrubbed up and ready for surgery?
Happy Thanksgiving,
Scott
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