If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored— so clean up your life. Job 22:23 (NLT)
Restoration is big business. People spend countless dollars restoring antiques, fine art, vehicles, homes, and much more. In the end, however, there is often little practical value. For example, certain restored antique cars are valued at millions of dollars but are rarely, if ever, driven. The cars and trucks are hauled on trailers from place to place, and people admire the craftsmanship, but they no longer fulfill their original purpose.
God is also in the restoration business. God’s plan for humanity is that we might live in a restored relationship with him. People have so many misconceptions about God and his intentions toward us. So many people have questions about the meaning of life and death.
During King David’s reign, his son Absalom fled into exile after avenging the honor of his sister, Tamar. After three years, Joab sought to facilitate reconciliation. Joab employed a woman from Tekoa to appeal to David. She sought an audience with the king under the guise of seeking justice for her family.
Subsequently, she spoke to David about his estrangement from Absalom. She told the king that God has a heart for restoration: Certainly we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground that cannot be gathered up again. But God does not take away life; instead he devises ways for the banished to be restored. 2 Samuel 14:14 (NET)
God restores us so that he can put us to use for his good works (Ephesians 2:10). Morton T. Kelsey reminded us: “The Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.”
The Original Plan
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:10–11 (NLT)
When restoring an object or a person, it is essential to understand the original design. If fixing an automobile with missing or badly damaged parts, restoration is only possible if you have the original design documents or a comparable example.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins by declaring: “Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Although many things were broken or damaged by The Fall, such as health and immortality, our relationship with God was the primary casualty. Sin caused death, and shame caused Adam and Eve to attempt to hide from God in vain.
God has never given up on humanity. From before the beginning of time, he knew the havoc that sin would cause in the world. Restoration would cost more than we can imagine, yet God never hesitated in paying the price because of his great love for the world.
God is pleading with us to respond to him. The prophet Hosea said: In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” Hosea 6:2–3 (NLT). God’s love will fix what our sin has destroyed. Let us press on to know him.
The Family Business
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1–2 (NIV)
Previously, we stated that God is in the business of restoration. Guess what? God wants us to join him in the family business. Sin not only destroyed the relationship between humanity and God, but it did great harm to interpersonal relationships as well.
Just like King David and Absalom, sin separates and breaks the bonds between people. Feelings are hurt, and bitterness and resentment multiply. Without forgiveness, restoration will not happen. Jesus even made forgiveness for one another, a condition of God’s forgiveness to us (Matthew 6:14-15).
In the church, our ability to forgive and love one another is a critical component of our witness before the world. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:21 (NLT)
Paul sums up the family business: Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
Better Than Original
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12 (NIV)
There is appreciation when an object is restored to its original condition. But God goes beyond our expectations. After Job’s testing, God returned to him double what he previously possessed. In this messianic prophecy from Zechariah, God promises to restore to the exiles double what they once had owned.
Through the death of Christ, we enjoy a restored relationship with God, but at present, our bodies are subject to decay and death. The restoration is not yet complete, but God has promised us:
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2–3 (NIV)
God is the God who “does exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or imagine.” He is going to give us glorified bodies that will never need restoration because they will not be subject to death and decay. Amen!
Steve Ekeroth