The God of Restoration
As I close this series about the gifts and the eternal consequences that come with disobeying God. It needs to be understood that once you are saved, that cannot change. But there is more to just having eternal security.
God has given us gifts to function here on earth so others will be encouraged and He will be glorified. I would not want to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and start weeping and gritting my teeth because I didn’t do what God called me to do, or because I didn’t function in the gifts He gave me.
The reason I left the last message “God is Calling for Repentance” which means He will forgive and restore. Yet, in that repentance, one should purpose in their heart to get on the right path to discover and function in the gift with whatever time you have left on this earth.
I am sharing about the people who got off track and they were restored.
God restored David – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation (Psalm 51:10-14). David’s confession was different from the New Testament. What he meant when he said don’t take
Your Spirit from me, was in the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon the prophets, kings, and priest for them to do a specific assignment. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit lives in us (scrip) and God said He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). We also confess our sins to God. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Nebuchadnezzar – God restored his kingdom. At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down (Daniel 4:36-37).
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
The Prodigal son – (Luke 15:21-24). One can never go down so low that he or she cannot be restored.
Peter denied the Lord – Peter’s sermon was so powerful; not only that, three thousand souls to the church (Acts 2:41). What about you? God does not show respect of persons (Romans 2:11). “If He has to reach down, Jesus will pick you up”
No one is beyond reach when it comes to God – He is everywhere! If you are a wayward child, come back to our Father.
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettminstries.org