What does it mean to restore?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 6, Restore with Gentleness, Question 11, p. 89
When we consider the concept of restoration for someone ensnared in sin, it’s essential to look at the guidance provided in God's Word. The word translated “restore” was used by Greeks in various settings, indicating a process of careful, gentle repair. In fact, the same root of the Greek word translated as "restore" is used to describe how the Jesus disciples were mending their nets. Luke, who was a physician, would have used that same Greek word to describe setting a broken bone. Whether it was mending a fishing net or healing a broken bone, the restoration required precision and tenderness. This principle applies to restoring a sinner as it calls for similar gentleness and care.
Psalm 32:1-5 emphasizes the need for confession and forgiveness as the primary steps toward restoration. The psalmist writes, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” When ensnared in sin, the most needed restoration begins with acknowledging one's sin before God. Verses 3-5 detail the psalmist's experience of silence and unconfessed sin leading to physical and emotional turmoil, which only subsides upon confession and receiving God's forgiveness.
In 2 Peter 1:9, the emphasis is on remembering one's cleansing from past sins. “For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” Restoration here involves a reminder of the believer's initial purification and the continuous need to cultivate virtues that reflect a transformed life. It is a call to remember the grace received and to live in a manner worthy of that grace. See Why Do Some Christians Not Bear Good Fruit?.
1 John 1:8-9 provides a clear pathway for restoration through confession and God’s faithfulness in forgiveness. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This passage highlights the daily need for honesty about our sinfulness and the assurance that God’s restoration is always available through confession and repentance.
The restoration most needed by one ensnared in sin involves a multifaceted approach: confession of sin, a reminder of God's lavish forgiveness, and continual cultivation of godly traits. This process requires honesty, humility, and reliance on God’s faithfulness to forgive and restore. Whether it’s through the heartfelt pleas of the psalmist, the reminders of Peter, or the assurances from John, the path to restoration is marked by a gentle yet powerful return to God’s grace and mercy.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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