How God Loves Restoration

Amos 9:13-15
The prophet Amos declares that, even though Israel would see the judgment of God, because of their disobedience to Him; they would also see a time of restoration and blessing. There would be a short time before the ground is broken by the plow, and the seeds are placed in the ground. A time of great productivity and fulfillment in the land. That is what we can find in Jesus Christ. In the Lord Jesus Christ, the ground of the heart is broken, and the seeds of the Gospel are sown. And when one responds to the Gospel, and allows the Lord to do His work, we become as the Apostle Paul writes "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) It has been God's goal through the ages, that man-kind be restored.Through the giving of His Son, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, God made a way for the world to be restored. I remember when my parents would restore a piece of wooden furniture. There was much sanding, varnishing, and the installing of new hinges, and fixtures. A lot of work went in to making this piece of furniture look brand new. God is so pleased when one is made brand new, through His Son. That's what He sent His Son to do; to make it so, we could be free of the old sinful life, and have it replaced with a life of faith, hope, and love. If you need a new heart, and a new life, come to Jesus Christ today, and let Him restore you, for all eternity. GP
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In A Spirit Of Gentleness

"Brethren, even if a man is caught 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) 

It is important that we as Christians look for those opportunities to restore those who have been caught by sin. I don't believe that the apostle Paul is just talking about restoring someone who is in the church, but bringing someone who we know, who is not a Christian, to a point of correction, and hopefully, a point of repentance, and to salvation.
Whether it is someone of the world, or someone who is of the body of Christ, there is the need for rescue, and restoration from sin. And Paul tells us to do it in a spirit of gentleness, not in a spirit of severe criticism, and judgment.

Again we must look at the example of Jesus, and see the attitude and approach He took. In John 8:1-11, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and put her right in front of Him. of course they did this to trap Him.

They said, she was caught in the very act, and the law of Moses says, that the punishment should be to stone her to death, what do you say? (v.5) In a spirit of gentleness, but directness, Jesus writes something on the ground, and then makes this statement: "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (v.7) What Jesus wrote that made them one by one leave, and not condemn this woman, we are not sure.

And to the woman in a spirit of gentleness, He asks her: "Where are those who condemn you?" She says" "no one, Lord," (v.11) and in a gentle voice, Jesus said: "Neither do I condemn you, go your way, and from now on, sin no more."  (v.11) 

This is the attitude and the action we are to show, in reaching out to people who are in the grip of sin and destruction. I am glad that we are not in the position of judging others, but we are given opportunities to make a difference in people's lives, for the sake of Christ. What a privilege it is, to do that! GP

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