RESTORATION: Better Late Than Never, But Best When Had On Time

We’ve seen trespasses in the body of Christ that have had the potential to permanently cripple perpetrators and victims alike. Yet the redemption found in forgiveness and restoration are spiritual phenomenon that those in Christ do well to practice. This week our Devotional team tackles this all-too-common challenge called, “Restoration!” Meditate on this scripture and may its conviction humble you.

Throughout the texture of the Book of Acts [The Acts of The Apostles], and throughout the epistles of Paul, within the substance of the writings from Philippi, from Rome and Galatia, from Corinth, from Ephesus, and from Thessalonica we hear, we read, and we feel the imploring of God, of Christ, of the martyrs, of the prophets, 'Come back!'. The wandering, and stumbling is very commonplace, and should we believe ourselves exempt from it, we must be careful, very careful, for we are not. It is a very big New Testament message! Ask Jude, ask Titus, and ask Hebrews, ask Matthew, Luke, John, and Mark, as the Gospel whispers, we are not exempt.

There is a garden, flowering and fruitful, which informs us that with freedom, we are not exempt. There is a wilderness journey, and a uniquely tumultuous cruise, and manifold footprints in Egypt and Babylon and Jerusalem which speak this upon sometimes muddy, sometimes dusty, sometimes rocky, and sometimes bloody paths. But there is a 'spirit of gentleness' prevailing through grace and mercy for any fallen, any 'caught' and any tempted. This lovingly holy thread throughout the fabric of all experience cries be restored. The patience of the Lord is salvation.

Beloved [remember how deeply you are loved], when any [the one or the many] are captured in a fault, an error, a diversion [apart from truth], you, and you, and you who are spiritual [born again, Spirit-filled, blood-washed, redeemed and Bible-right, yea, 'sold out for Christ'] RESTORE such a one, as the Holy Spirit leads you and gifts you, gently, as well humbly, for your own inherent risk for stumbling.

Restore such a one, in the name of Jesus!
Restoration requires revelation... Receive it.
Restore such a one, in the name of Jesus!
Restoration insists on repentance... Believe it.
Restore such a one, in the name of Jesus!
Restoration invites revival... Receive it!
Restore such a one in the name of Jesus!
Restoration prompts return... Believe it!
Restoration prompts remembrance. Do all to the glory of God.

Between here and now, and heaven's then, we've got a conversation to share, the same one which wooed us into faith, across sacred words and common breaths, simply put through the lips of a neighbor, an uncle, Mum, Mr. Smith, Junior, Shameka, Pop-Pop, or Rev... or maybe it was by way of a chance encounter with a stranger, a waitress, the bus driver, a teacher, the dentist, or a nearby pew partner. He was, He arose, and He is. Will you stand on that day before God alone, or with Him? Will you accept the mercy of God?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You have shown Your heart for the sake of my own. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me, I pray. Then help me to help some other, in the name of Jesus...yes, even today.
By McNeal Brockington