[CS-FSLUG] The God of restoration.

[Warren Sanders]

Fred A. Miller wrote:
> The God of restoration.  One of the most encouraging things the Bible
> teaches us, is that God is a God of restoration.  The Bible tells us that we
> all sin and fall short of God's glory, but what happens to us after we sin
> is what I want to focus on today.  One of the most visible sins in the Bible
> has to be Peter's denial of Christ.  After following the Lord, living with
> Him, seeing the miracles, hearing the teachings, even being so bold to
> proclaim Jesus to be "the Son of the living God"...this same Peter in fear
> of his life denies even knowing who Jesus is.
> 
> If the story of Peter ended there, it would indeed be tragic.  However, we
> see that same Peter, just days later in John chapter 21 being restored to
> fellowship by Jesus.  

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this "tragic" mistake statement.  I believe 
that when you accept Christ as your Savior you are accepting His payment for all 
your sins past present and future.  Also I believe that once you are saved, you 
cannot be unsaved so to speak.  I am not to worry about sins I have forgotten. 
The Lord has also forgotten my sin as well.  So... I'm confused!  Why would it 
be "tragic"?  I am not Saved by my lack of sin!  Only One thing saves me and 
that is not an act of a sinless life it's accepting The Gift that saves me.

Because of propitiation, I am not judged on "judgment day" rather I am held 
accountable by my sin.  Therefore I confess that I have acknowledge my error and 
promise to try harder.

> 
> After we sin, the most important thing we can do before the restoration
> process takes place is to confess our sin and ask God's forgiveness.  1 John
> 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
> us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  God wants to forgive you!  God
> wants to cleanse you!  But you have to make the first move.  You have to
> swallow your pride and admit to God you sinned.  You have to be sick enough
> of the sin to want to be rid of it once and for all.
> 
> I am not talking about that "morning after" confession either.  I am talking
> about that confession that says I am sorry, and I am ready to walk away from
> this sin once and for all.  We all feel sorry for our sins after we commit
> them.  The issue is whether we are ready to deal with them once and for all,
> and allow the restoration process to begin.  My friend, it is not God
> holding back that process, it is you.  You have to be serious about getting
> rid of the sin that is in your life.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with these statements but I most certainly wouldn't 
be using this sort of dialog to win the lost.  This sort of talk draws too much 
attention to this idea that "to become a Christian you must stop doing" this and 
that, but rather I would talk about all the things you can do and all the 
bondage you are free from.
> 
> Once we make up our mind and decide to make the necessary changes to walk
> away from our sin, we then confess our sins and repent, and have now opened
> the door for God to restore us.  You see, God never stops having a plan for
> your life.  Don't forget, your purpose is to serve and glorify Him.  He
> desires to restore us to fellowship, not only because He loves us, but
> because He still  has work for us to do.
> 
> If you are looking for that peace, that joy, that abundant life the Bible
> speaks of....I am telling you that you will ONLY find it in a daily,
> intimate relationship with Christ.  You will only find it in a life totally
> and unconditionally surrendered to Him and His will.  You will only find it
> when you are fulfilling your God-given purpose of serving and glorifying Him
> with your life.
> 
> Be encouraged today, God is not through using you.  He still has a perfect
> plan and purpose for your life.  It is now up to you.  Just like He restored
> Peter, and used Peter in a mighty way, God wants to use you.  The only
> difference between you and Peter is that Peter turned from his sin, repented
> and confessed his sins to the Lord...thus opening the door to God's
> forgiveness and restoration.
> 
> I love you and care about you so much.  God loves you so much.  Turn from
> your sin, confess and repent of those sins, and let God restore you today.
> No matter what you have done, God's grace is sufficient and His love is
> endless.  He wants to say to you, just as He told Peter..."Do you love
> me?...Feed my sheep."
> 
> 
> In His love and service,
> Your friend and brother in Christ,
> Bill Keller
> 
> I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email
> at bkeller at liveprayer.com
> 
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> (C)opyright 2005, Bill Keller Ministries. All rights reserved
> 


-- 
Warren Sanders
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