Spiritual Restoration: Encourage, Renew!

 Spiritual Restoration: Encourage, Renew!

By: Hannah Tomambo

Restoration as defined by Merriam-Webster is an act of restoring or the condition of being restored, a bringing back to a former position or condition, reinstatement, reinstitution, to restore the impaired to its normal condition. It employs a total reinstatement of mind from previously divulging an act of the opposition to coming back into what is intently in good shape. It requires a fast or slow paced process yet, it has one goal, to return on what we think as rightful in the sight of God. It is a broad idea in coming to a point on how this process will be done, but it is specific if we focus on one thing intangible and its existence goes beyond immeasurable thought – it is our faith in our savior Jesus Christ.

            Restoration, in one’s point of view, implies an overwhelming process of total transformation into something new, the tear and wear of old self. It connotes an idea of personally changing one’s mind into the renewing and setting it on spiritual view. Yet, here’s the dilemma, why do the word restoration comes in the picture?. Well, here’s the gist, someone or somebody or even our own selves get in the middle of doing unrighteous or ending up doing sin. Is it right? In some point, we are being wired up in doing unlawful things which regresses us and can cause broken relationships to others or to God.

            One of the most difficult things to watch is when a believing Christian friend or even us becomes hounded, or trapped in sin. It is usually but not always, something that sneaks us up, or because it isn’t noticed right away, eventually it overwhelms us at some point, and become caught in the deceptive web and unknowingly we end up needing help on getting out of the dungeon of the sins we are in.  Sometimes, in our ongoing battle wth sin, it can knock us around and get the best of us, or what we called the unguarded moments of our life. Then in those times, we are most especially to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2) by coming alongside and helping. Bearing one another’s burden in a more general sense should be a normal part of the church ongoing body life to begin with and by being strong who are ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves (Romans 15:1-3). But how do restoration process gets going to a person who is caught in some sin and cant’ escape? There are two line of thoughts:

Thought # 1. Encourage and at the same time Warn.

            We thrive on encouragement, personally I really do. We’re all like that way and we actually like on hearing  encouraging words, but few really have the gift of encouraging, and sure they have it.  In the meantime, if you’re one who thrives on words of discouragement intended to bring you down, you should seek help. Just saying.

            The writer of Hebrews wrote and revealed the power of encouragement. If condemning, ostracizing and treating others with disdain when they are struggling with sin or contemplating sinful decisions or actions is such a good thing, well then let us look on the book of Hebrews, the writer clearly means and blew a perfect chance to model what encouragement should be. He showed what it means to encourage and not to maltreat the person, instead of shunning them and treating them harshly, he turned to words of encouragement beautifully blended with urgency, warnings and the message of the Gospel.

            See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.( Hebrews 3:12-14, NIV).

            All of us desperately need to hear this kind of encouragement that comes from the Gospel. Paul also tells us directly how to gently treat someone who is caught in sin.

            Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, 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).

            The “spiritual” that Paul is referring aren’t the super saints in the church, but those who are not caught in the sin at that particular juncture. Yet, this can be a moving target because those who are spiritual this week may be caught in their own sin next week. That’s why there is a warning to “keep watch on yourself, lest you to be tempted”. Regardless, the spiritual are to help restore those who are caught in sin.

Thought # 2. Renewing of the mind from the inside out.

            Going on, Spiritual Restoration still depends on what one thinks needs “restoring”. If restoration focuses on changing our inner self wholeheartedly then outside appearance will follow the transformation ongoing within us. Being a Christian, concentrating on the very core of the Gospel, being Christ centered, believing the supernatural miracles that God can offer, Christian mission oriented and the ministry to the world in divine strength, I tell you, ­ certainly it can allow, encourage, and stimulate spiritual renewal and a luminous inward to outward recondition of the 3 components of the person, which are the soul, body and mind.

However, if the desired "restoration" primarily revolves around only outwardly, and particularly if the restoration is superficial, then there is a tendency that it becomes an end within itself,or the motives will fall wrongly.  Then it will regard spiritual renewal as a threat and will reject it whenever it appears. External goal of renovating ourselves is a lot unclear in stating of “restoration” in our own selves for it does not involve total transformation and renewing but, a partial and an inch of contrite heart to offer .How true? Yes, this exists, but the question lies, can we let this from coming and pass by just like that? Then we are all reminded that the great "restoration" will be God's own accomplishment at the End (Acts 3:21). Even now, however, God gives us "times of refreshing" to sustain us as we wait for his great "restoration" (Acts 3:19).

In the meantime, God is all in the manner of restoring us, and in our part, it is also our call to respond in restoring and consecrating ourselves according to what God commands us to be – to be like Him.

              Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For  "Whoever would love life and see good days  must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous  and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." ( 1 Peter 3: 8 – 12,NIV).

            Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins ( 1 Peter 4: 7 – 8, NIV).

            So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.( 1 Peter 4:19, NIV).