Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Striving For Full Restoration


Robin T. Varughese
Epiphany MTC, NY

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”- 2 Corinthians 13: 11


 “I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior,” a phrase we have all once uttered as we embraced the journey of discipleship with Christ. But through the weight of constant demands, distractions, and encumbering stresses of life, we often find ourselves losing sight of our “first love”, perpetuating a downward spiral that leads us to complacency in, or the deviation of, our faith much like the Corinthian Church.

 Paul writes to the Church at Corinth with the purpose of admonishing and reminding them of their foundation in Jesus Christ. The Corinthian Church experienced much difficulty with the flux of alternative versions of the Gospel being spread within the Church. As a result, many believers fell prey and wandered from the Church, warranting Paul to write again to the Corinthians to urge them to stay founded in the truths of the Gospel.

 Paul urges us to remember our first reforming encounter with Christ, that we are not only justified by His Blood, but also sanctified and called to be “ambassadors of Christ” wherever we are. This involves actively pursuing a relationship with Him, to align our self such that His Desires become our desires, and His Way becomes our way. Although this is a work in progress, the responsibility we, as Christians, are given should not be taken lightly. By bearing the name of Christ as a Christian, we ought to exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit- defining characteristics that sanctify us in our growing relationship with Christ and spiritual maturity. We, as humans, are not perfect- there is nothing redeemable in us to warrant such an amazing gift in the Grace of God, but the intentions - to strive for restoration in a relationship with Christ - is what God continually calls us to do. He beckons us to come before Him and to become one in heart and mind as we continue to strengthen this relationship with Him and with our fellow believers.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for never letting go of us when we stumble. We ask that You equip us with Your Holy Spirit to help us foster a closer relationship with You. Restore us and sanctify us to remain faithful in our relationship with our true and first love. All these things we ask in Your Name. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How can we strive for restoration and refinement in our relationship with Christ today? 

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