Repentance, Redemption, Restoration

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ March 6, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

(NRSV) Romans 5:8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
(NRSV) 1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I read this recently by Victor Nunez: We have not lost our justification if we’re children of God, but we can compromise the process of our sanctification if we backslide and hinder our relationship with Jesus Christ. However, Jesus Christ can still redeem us and restore us through repentance, confession, forgiveness, and obedience over time.

The term “backsliding” is not often used in today’s lexicon. However, it so clearly reflects the state in which we find ourselves when we turn away from holiness and toward the sin that once held us captive. I believe three of the sweetest words in the human language are repentance, redemption and restoration. If we say we are sorry but commit the same offense repeatedly, then we have not repented, which necessarily includes a turning away from sin. However, when our repentance is genuine, God is faithful to forgive, providing redemption and restoration.

I have mentioned before being a child and helping my mother affix green stamps into a book. The stamps were given as a “premium” at local grocery stores, and when the book was full, you could take it to a local redemption center to purchase any number of items for the home. I am so thankful we do not have to wait until our “book” is full before we can turn to God for redemption.

The restoration found in God does not just return us to our original state, but instead makes us better than before. If you have ever restored a piece of furniture, you know it is a multistage process. There is stripping of the old finish, sanding of any scars or blemishes, and finally applying a new finish. The restoration God provides may not be immediate, but oh it is worth the wait.

May we ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light of truth into our hearts so that we can offer true repentance, thereby receiving redemption which leads to a holy restoration.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.