A
Publication of the
*Reworked
-------------------------------------------------------
Restoration Viewpoints
By Bob W. Lovelace
The
inspired texts are written with one view, our eternal salvation. Let’s look
closely at some viewpoints aimed at helping to effect the restoration of those
who have fallen away from the faith.
Luke 15:3-7
“And he spake this
parable unto them, saying, [4] What man
of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he
find it? [5] And when he hath found it,
he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he
cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have
found my sheep which was lost. [7] I say
unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance.”
Dear reader space does not allow for a lot
of comments here but notice “where” the joy is. It is in heaven! Is that an
important lesson? Yes, and when there is joy there
then surely there is joy here with those of us hope to go to heaven. But let’s
read on.
Luke 15:8-10
“Either what woman having
ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep
the house, and seek diligently till she find it? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours
together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found
the piece which I had lost. [10]
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner that repenteth.”
Again the joy is in heaven and in the
presence of the angels of God. Notice that Jesus has said nothing in either
illustration about the person represented by the sheep and the coin. Perhaps He
wanted you to see this point first. And once again what is the lesson? The
lesson is there is joy or rejoicing in heaven at one’s repentance! But let’s
read further in order to get a complete view of restoration. This time looking
carefully at the person who is being restored.
Luke 15:11-24
“And he said, A certain man had two
sons: [12] And
the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods
that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
living. [13] And not many days after the
younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and
there wasted his substance with riotous living.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that
land; and he began to be in want. [15]
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him
into his fields to feed swine. [16] And
he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and
no man gave unto him. [17] And when he
came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread
enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and before thee, [19] And am no more worthy to be
called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. [20] And he arose, and came to his father.
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion,
and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. [22] But the father said to his servants,
Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and
shoes on his feet: [23] And bring hither
the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive
again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Any time one is restored I believe that
thoughts come back here to these verses. The reason is obvious for Jesus
presents the very thoughts of the person himself; the very one being restored.
Those thoughts at this point are truthful with oneself, wholesome i.e. healing
in the sense that there is godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10),
good in the sense that “bread enough” (Lk. 15:17)
expresses a satisfactory life with a standard acceptable to God, and most
importantly they are honest in their reflections back to the time prior to
unfaithfulness. There was a time when the son was worthy to be called his
father’s son.
Consider carefully the directions of one’s
thoughts when they are considering being restored. I believe that we can see that their thoughts
will look in three directions.
They will LOOK
BACK TO THE TIME PRIOR TO THEIR FALLING AWAY WHEN THEY WERE FAITHFUL. In
doing such they should recall the spiritual blessings they once enjoyed and
feel a longing to be able to enjoy them once again. Of course they will think
of the blessing of forgiveness of sin as promised in I John 1:9. Friend, there
is no greater blessing. They will also think of such things as are listed in
Matt. 5:3-13, thus remembering when they used to live right and were even
persecuted for doing right by those in the world. Yes, they will recall the
blessing of worship and edification which is spiritual strength; of praising
and adoring God knowing that they are doing such the right way and not with the
meaningless excuses, talk and jabber that the world uses to speak of God. And
yet, there are more blessings to be remembered such as the fellowship of Christians,
and sometimes of family who are Christians with whom fellowship and close
association has been broken because of unfaithfulness. Yes, these are things to
be greatly desired in life. And these are some of the things that one will look
back to as they consider the importance of their own restoration.
We should take care to emphasize these
things to those who need to be restored. And for our family and friends who
have fallen we should
explain to them that this is all we have ever wanted for them;
that is for them to be faithful to the Lord in order that we might enjoy the
privilege of their fellowship and company together once again.
But their restoration comes first and they
must know that. As painful as withdrawing one’s close association with one’s
own family is it must be done when they fall away because the rules are God’s
and not ours and we must abide by them (read 2 Th. 3:6; I Cor. 5:11-12).
Going on. Not only
will they look back to the time prior to their falling, but they will LOOK AT THE EXTENT AND DURATION OF THEIR UNFAITHFULNESS. Honesty demands the kind of admission we just
read in Lk. 15:18. Notice when he said this that he
was alone and no one was with him. He needed no one to be there for he had come
to his senses and was “looking” (Lk.
The things that the prodigal son does
(assuming responsibility and not blaming others, repentance, confession
) are not difficult to do when looking back to and desiring the
spiritual blessings one enjoyed prior to falling, or when looking forward
to acceptance with God, brethren, and
family who are brethren in Christ once again.
Yes, one will also LOOK FORWARD TO ACCEPTANCE which is certain. If
you will take your Bible and read Lk.
Conclusion:
1.
All who desire can be restored with God based upon repentance.
2.
There is joy with God, angels and man.
3.
One can be certain of acceptance.
4.
Once restored one should give proper credit (Lk.
15:31) to those who have remained faithful and love them for that just as they
have joyfully loved and accepted them.