Restoration
- Details
- Category: Salvation
- Hits: 2584
Restoration
Sin Will Bring You Down
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. Psa. 38:4,6
Following his sin with Bathsheba David describes his condition - he is completely broken and bowed down - all day, every day. His joy has left him. Once David enjoyed a life of intimate fellowship with God but now his life is one of daily mourning. For the person who once walked with God, sin is devastating. It deadens the heart and breaks the spirit. Sin becomes a stone in our soul. David was once a person of faith and thankfulness, but now the poison of sin is having its way.
If we have sinned there is only one remedy.
The Lord says if we will repent and turn then we will find mercy.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. 28:13
The Lord provides a way of escape for every person caught in sin. Forgiveness is God's way of release. We do not have to live in our sins, we do not have to be overcome by sin, and we do not have to die in our sins. The Scripture is very clear on this point, listen closely.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:8
If we have unconfessed sin or if we are entangled in a sinful lifestyle, the Lord reaches out to us with a promise of forgiveness and restoration. The cross defeats the power and the guilt of sin. Once our sin is confessed - and forsaken, we can then begin the healing process. Sin fragments, it separates, it opens the door to spiritual oppression which poisons the soul. Sin makes one spiritually, emotionally, and often physically sick. But the blood of Christ is more powerful than sin and the Lord will heal all who cry out for forgiveness. Make no mistake, the death of Christ is the full purchase price of our forgiveness and restoration.
The Lord Will Not Hold Our Sins Against Us
Romans 4:7-8 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Paul is quoting Psalms 32:1-2 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.
The Holy Spirit speaking through David shows the power of forgiveness. When we confess and turn from our sins, the Lord removes the guilt of sin from our account; forgiveness cancels all sin against us. Unfortunately, like David, men and women of God can fall into gross sin. If they fall, it's common to feel God will never again use them; the devil will play his message in our head that we've gone too far, after all, we should have known better. But this kind of thinking leads only to despair. When we sin, God calls us to repentance - His purpose is to save and restore, not destroy. He knows our frame and He knows only by His great mercy can anyone be saved. Thanks be to God the cross of Jesus Christ has paid the full penalty for all our sins, even the sins we commit as a Christian.
God was merciful to David. David, a man of God, and anointed by God to be King of Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband murdered. How can God forgive a man who would commit such a terrible sin? David knew better! God forgave David because David repented and Jesus had taken God's wrath for David's sins, and Jesus takes God's wrath for our sins. Jesus purchased our forgiveness and our restoration to fellowship. Because blood is the purchase price of redemption, God promises to forgive all who confess and turn from their sins. The Lord loved David, and He loves you. Nathan the prophet confronted David and David confessed his sin. If we will learn from David, and confess our sins, then like David we will find forgiveness and full restoration.
The Lord is With Thee
Some time after David's repentance, David talked with Nathan the Prophet and expressed a desire to build a house for the Lord, 2Sam. 7:2-3. This was the same Nathan the Prophet that confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba. I'll paraphrase Nathan's response - "do all that is in your heart for the Lord is with you". Nathan's response shows God not only forgave David but also His favor was with him; Nathan said "the Lord is with you." Nathan's response shows the victory of the cross over sin. When the Lord forgives our sins He also restores to full fellowship. David's restoration should be an encouragement to every person who has fallen into sin and thinks the Lord now rejects them. The Lord has not rejected you. Accept the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, accept His blood as the full penalty for your sins. Accept His promised forgiveness. Stand up, brush yourself off, and start again. Put on the righteousness Jesus purchased for you, and with a thankful heart, begin your forgiven and restored life.
God bless you,
Jim
If you wish to comment on this article I may be reached at the below email address.
