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God's Restoring Grace
On Sunday morning, September 10, I turned
in my Bible and read, Galations 6:1. There I read Paul’s statement instructing
the church to restore those who have been overtaken in a fault or transgression.
I felt the need to write the following message. Perhaps, there are those who are
in need of God’s grace and restoration. We, as Christians, need to rethink and
spiritually adjust our attitudes towards those who have failed God. We need to
show them love and do all we can to restore them to the fellowship with God and
the church.
Restoring men and women to the faith in Jesus Christ is one of the most neglected ministries of the church. In fact, very few church denominations have a restoration for their fallen men and women. It is easier to turn the other way than to deal with the problems. God can and does restore His people to grace and remembers their sins no more.
In the many years that I pastored and worked with people, I found myself in a position of having to deal with people who sincerely loved God and had lived a Christian life but had fallen into sin. I never sat in personal judgment but loved them as God loved them, forgiving their sins and their failure.
The church as a rule is more harsh on those who have sinned and failed than God. We must learn to love people and realize that loving them does not mean that we agree with their sin. We are God’s instruments in restoration. You have heard the statement said, that the church is the only army that kills it’s wounded. While the church must deal with moral sin, we want to remember that those that are spiritual restore such a one to faith.
If in any area of your life, you have failed God, and maybe you have been hurt by the attitude of those around you. Let me reassure you, God loves you now as much as ever. There is nothing that you have done or ever will do that can keep God from loving you. The Bible says, "God is love." He is able and willing to heal your broken heart and life by His loving grace. In Hosea 14:4 "I will heal your backslidings," says the Word. In Luke 15:11-32, we read the story of the return of the prodigal son. It is a beautiful illustration of God’s love in receiving and restoring His wayward children. He was not condemned, but the Father fell on his neck and kissed him. The Father longs for the return of His children and is ready to embrace them and restore them to family restoration.
On the morning of His resurrection, Jesus sent a message of love and restoration to Peter. He said to Mary, "Go tell My disciples and Peter. "
Mark 16:7 Peter had denied Jesus three times and swore that he did not know Him. Jesus was ready to restore him to his discipleship and he became the spokesman and leader of the disciples on the day of Pentecost. He had the honor of preaching the first sermon following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He had three thousand converts in one service. This is God’s way of dealing with the failure of His children.
Moses, in Exodus 3 is one of the best Biblical examples of God’s complete forgiveness and restoration. Having a knowledge that God by Moses would deliver Israel, He asserted himself and killed an Egyptian and fled to Midian for his life. After 40 years, God appeared to him in the burning bush. God first restores him to relationship, then restores his call and ministry. God said to him, "Come now and I will send you that thou may bring forth my people out of Egypt." If like Moses, you have failed and fled from your call, God has a burning bush experience for you.
In I John 2:1, states that if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. As our advocate, He represents us through His shed blood. He is our Surety of acceptance and forgiveness with God.
I have known some of God’s most gifted pastors, evangelists, and teachers who have fallen into sin. Also, I have seen God’s grace restore them and their ministry. There are still others who are hurting and need the love and forgiveness of their spiritual family. David is an example of God using a person, who had sinned. He committed murder and adultery, yet, when he cried out to God, he was heard and forgiven. God said of David, "That he was a man after My own heart." He wrote some of his best Psalms after his restoration.
The decision to return to your calling and ministry of God is yours. God planned your life and placed His call upon you when you were conceived in your mother’s womb. He has not changed His call on your life.
PRAY this simple prayer with us: Dear
Jesus, I have failed, but I come to you with all of my heart and ask Your
forgiveness and restoration. I commit my life and my talents to You. Thank you
for hearing me and giving me peace in my heart and life. I believe you will take
my failures and turn them for your glory. A men