Restoration

Restoration of Man by God is His creative work, and not our own. The Lord creates in us newness of Life, so much so that we are changed people. Crazy thinking gives way to sound thinking, phobias give way to peacefulness, and a soul that once refused to be ruled over becomes submissive to discipline (2 Tim 1:7). All that keeps one imprisoned and in darkness is exchanged for true liberty and light. The inner heart begins to know true healing and, yes, favor from the Lord.

Jesus spoke these words through the Spirit of Prophecy to the prophet Isaiah; “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God . . . “ (Is 61:1-2). Truly the “good news” Jesus proclaimed was more than mere words; the gospel is the creative power of God to change lives.

What is to become of those lives, once imprisoned in darkness but now free? Are they to live the rest of their lives in shame? No, for God has no purpose in the life lived in shame. If shame would work God’s purposes He would let us feel His disgust over our sins. But shame keeps men from walking into the Life God has created for them. Instead of shame and disgrace, our Father gives us a great inheritance.

“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Is 61:7).

If God can forgive, create in us new Life, and put our feet on the course for our destiny, why do we stop short of walking that course? The discouragement of past sins and errors needs to be laid to rest behind us. Though men or angels try to turn us back by convincing us we are not qualified for our walk’s destiny, yet the Blood of God’s Son continues to speak of better things for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:38-39).