"A Restoration in Process"2 Corinthians 13:11a
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration
Thoughts for Today:Recently, my wife and I bought an investment property that needed a lot of work. The cabinets were damaged, the appliances removed or broken, the roof leaked, and there was water damage. To say the house was a "project" might be an understatement. But it had two things going for it: location and "good bones" (generally good structure and floor plan).
I think our house restoration is a pretty good analogy for the work Christ is doing in all born again believers. He surveys the damage, and knows two things: our location is correct (Ephesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."); and second, we have good "bones" (Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.")
Jesus has already done the work - the project is complete and we are going to heaven. Unfortunately, while on this earth, there will still need to be a little sawing and hammering to move the project along (1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."). In other words, the Lord is our Restorer and His work continues in us - removing the old, tainted and damaged parts and replacing them with new attitudes, clearer understanding and greater awareness of His will.
Questions to Ponder:In our passage today, Paul uses the words: "strive for full restoration." This would imply that there is an action required on our part so the process of restoration will not be interrupted. What is it? We must seek His will in our lives and make choices to set aside those things that cause distraction or interference in our relationship with Him. What do you need to put aside? What continues to bring harm to you and your walk in the Lord? Will you give the ultimate Contractor and Creator access to your house?
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration
Thoughts for Today:Recently, my wife and I bought an investment property that needed a lot of work. The cabinets were damaged, the appliances removed or broken, the roof leaked, and there was water damage. To say the house was a "project" might be an understatement. But it had two things going for it: location and "good bones" (generally good structure and floor plan).
I think our house restoration is a pretty good analogy for the work Christ is doing in all born again believers. He surveys the damage, and knows two things: our location is correct (Ephesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."); and second, we have good "bones" (Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.")
Jesus has already done the work - the project is complete and we are going to heaven. Unfortunately, while on this earth, there will still need to be a little sawing and hammering to move the project along (1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."). In other words, the Lord is our Restorer and His work continues in us - removing the old, tainted and damaged parts and replacing them with new attitudes, clearer understanding and greater awareness of His will.
Questions to Ponder:In our passage today, Paul uses the words: "strive for full restoration." This would imply that there is an action required on our part so the process of restoration will not be interrupted. What is it? We must seek His will in our lives and make choices to set aside those things that cause distraction or interference in our relationship with Him. What do you need to put aside? What continues to bring harm to you and your walk in the Lord? Will you give the ultimate Contractor and Creator access to your house?
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