Restoration
For some reason, the fancy schmancy social media algorithm started showing me videos of the most fascinating thing. They contain time-lapse footage of restorations. Everything from old tools to antique motorcycles. I hate to admit it, but I am drawn to their simplicity. They aren’t vile or inappropriate. They are just captivating and beautiful. One in particular was of an old rusty hunting knife. The wooden handle was crumbling, and the blade was heavily oxidized. Most people would have just thrown it away. But this craftsman took the painstaking time to dismantle, wash, scrape, sand, grind, and polish it. Even more, he carefully crafted a new wood handle before reassembling it. The results were stunning, and the knife was useful again.
Scripture tells a similar story. Sin takes humanity and utterly corrodes and destroys our lives so that we are spiritually brittle and falling apart. Its weight and wear on us make us utterly useless. Just when we think we might be destined for the dump, along comes the most amazing offer. Restoration.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
When the Holy Spirit in truth convicts mankind of his sin (John 16:8), and man longs for the blessed promise of being made new, he must first be deconstructed. Confession and repentance lead us to the wonderful waters of baptism where we die and enter the cleansing and renewal provided only by Christ (Acts 22:16).
Titus 3:4–6
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
The book of Titus tells us that regeneration and renewal are the “experience of a complete change of life,” in which we see the “rebirth of a redeemed person.” It’s restoration at its finest.
Romans 6:4
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Paul tells us that restoration points us to new life. This is God’s ultimate plan. We are restored, so that we might live and be useful again according to the design and purpose for which God created us.
So, if you are already restored in Christ, LIVE. Live to the fullest as restored ones and “make the best use of the time” to glorify God (Ephesians 5:15–21). If you aren’t yet in Christ, “why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name (Acts 22:16).” Be restored today by Christ, the master craftsman! He not only wants to, but he CAN!
Eyes up,
Ryan
