restoration

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted (Gal. 6:1 NASB)."

Restorative confrontation is a much needed discipline in the church. Often confrontation is either overlooked, allowing fellow believers to run rampant and unaccountable lives, or it is abused, yielding nothing but hostility and antagonism.

One of the keys to biblical restoration is a spirit of gentleness, or humility. Words that flow from a humble heart can cut through much bitterness and pain, and by the Spirit's power, they can melt some of the hardest souls.

As you seek to bring restoration to your relationships in God's church, consider yourself first, making sure your attitude is right and God fearing, then proceed to correct and confront out of a loving heart. Surely, you will often find believers desiring to be reunited to the word of God, fellow Christians, and most importantly our Lord himself.

sovereignty

"The LORD is King forever and ever (Psalm 10:16 NASB);"

Psalm 10 is a prayer at a time when God seemed afar off, yet the Psalm closes with an expectation that the LORD will make things right and bring about justice.

Where is the key to this Psalm? It is this very statement: The LORD is King forever and ever.

So often we struggle when God seems silent because we do not fully believe and affirm that He is the all powerful sovereign creator of the universe who has the power to carry out His will. So often we struggle because we really don't know Him personally, as a good and loving yet powerful and mighty king.

The next time God seems far away or silent, consider who He is. He is your Savior. Your master. Your eternal king.

patience

Some fail to recognize that the God revealed in the Old Testament is in fact the very same God in the New Testament. Just as loving, just as merciful, just as patient.

God gives and has always given His people many opportunities to do right.

Consider Cain concerning his brother Abel: God gave a clear warning about Cain's heart and attitude. "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:6,7 NASB).'"

After Cain committed the evil murder of his brother, Cain could have easily been destroyed for what he did, but notice the LORD's response, full of mercy.

"'Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth. Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is too great to bear!

'Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.'

So the LORD said to him, 'Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold' And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him (Genesis 4:11-15 NASB).'"

Cain deserved death and condemnation, yet God provided discipline, patience and even protection!

It is vital that all of God's people recognize that God is full of mercy and grace, even in discipline, for we always get from Him more blessing and patience than we could ever deserve.