by Elder Johnny Kim

Lately, there have been a number of reality shows on cable television that deal with restoration in one form or another. From houses to hand-me-downs, cars to curios, the premise of these shows is generally the same. They involve taking something that is broken, worn, useless, and of little value, and restoring it to brand-new condition to then become something useful, valuable, and highly desirable.

While these types of shows have gained in popularity with their respective fan bases, there ought to be something about the restoration theme of these shows that rings familiar with Christians most of all. After all, restoration is a major theme in the Christian life considering that once saved in Christ, our lives are to be marked by the process of sanctification. In other words, we are to continually progress towards holiness, from rebelliousness to obedience, from sinners to saints who look more like Christ each day. As Christians, we are to undergo the ultimate restoration of our hearts, minds, and entire beings.

We can find that the idea of restoration shows up all throughout the bible as well. In 2 Corinthians 13:9-11, the apostle Paul writes to the church at Corinth about how he prays for their restoration. Likewise, in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10, Paul is writing this time to the church at Thessalonica, letting them know that he is praying for their restoration and exhorts them to “aim for it”. In 1 Peter 5:10, the apostle Peter writes of suffering as a part of the restoration process for those who believe. These passages and others show that restoration is indeed very much a part of the Christian life.

Another passage in which we see the idea of restoration is in Ephesians 4:11-12, but the context of this passage sheds light on an interesting idea of restoration. The apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about various spiritual gifts to be used for the purpose of “restoring the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ”. With this passage, something interesting is revealed. Paul makes a connection between the process of Christians being restored and the role that the Bible plays in that process. Specifically, we are being restored when we receive the teaching of the truths of Scripture as taught to us by pastors and teachers within the church. Hearing and understanding biblical truths are vital for our restoration. Increasing in the knowledge of Scripture is essential for us to be made complete and to be perfected in Christ.

With the various restoration reality shows in mind, one can’t help but make the comparison that before being made alive in Christ and without biblical truth in our lives, we are much like the pieces of junk at the beginning of these shows that are rusted, broken, missing parts, and unable to function in any useful way. But throughout these shows, these pieces of junk are inevitably transformed by expert craftsmen who repair, rebuild, and repaint the pieces until they can be presented as brand-new and fully functional. Likewise, as we are taught the Word and as we receive it, our lives are to be transformed and restored as well. The Word reveals the sin in our lives to be removed and replaced by obedience. Where we are lacking in grace, mercy, or forgiveness, the Word shows us how we can truly exhibit complete Christian love. As we receive the preaching and teaching of the Word, we are being equipped and restored to completeness so that we might find ourselves to be functional and useful for the building up of Christ’s church.

If we proclaim that we have a high view of God’s Word, then it’s only natural that we should have a high view of the teaching of God’s Word as well. The time that we have to come together as a church body on Sunday to worship and hear God’s Word preached should be precious to us if we truly understand what we have to gain from it. No one would be satisfied to own a rusted out car that doesn’t run or to live in a dilapidated house with holes in the roof and walls. Yet our complacent attitudes at times toward Sunday worship and the preaching of God’s Word speak of nothing else but the fact that we are foolishly content to be incomplete, unfinished, and ill-equipped before the church that Christ died for. If we truly believe that our restoration as believers depends on the preaching of God’s Word, should we not find ourselves to be on time (or early), attentive, engaged, and grateful at each and every opportunity we have to receive it?

How do you see yourself in the context of your sanctification? Where are you in the process of being restored? Through faithfully hearing God’s Word preached, are you slowly being repaired and completed, looking more and more like the Christian that God desires you to be? If so, praise God and continue to faithfully serve the church as you have been equipped. On the other hand, are you maybe still a rust bucket on wheels, sitting in the driveway year after year, desperately in need of work? If so, then know that God, the ultimate “expert craftsman”, with the tools of His Word and His faithful pastors and teachers in hand, is ready to transform and restore you this Sunday. No appointment needed.