Bob Goff traveled to a country where he witnessed extreme human rights violations. In response, he chose to live out the call of Isaiah 58:3 by seeking justice on behalf of the oppressed. Goff founded Restore International to “fight for freedom and human rights, working to improve educational opportunities and to be helpful to those in need of a voice and a friend.” For more than a decade, Restore has helped to free those in bonded labor and sex trafficking, along with other exploited men, women, and children in select troubled countries.
The definition of restore is to “return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position; to repair or renovate so as to return it to its original condition.” In Romans we read of the ultimate restoration: the relationship between God and man. Though we were originally intended for relationship with Him, our sins separated us from our Creator (Colossians 1:21). Yet, “when we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners” (Romans 5:6).
Jesus didn’t shed His blood for us because of our goodness but to demonstrate God’s love for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). The blood of Christ makes us right in God’s sight and saves us from spiritual death. And a relationship with Him that was severed by sin can be restored as we believe in Jesus and accept His gift of salvation.
Paul wrote that “our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies” (Romans 5:10). And now “we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11). We’ve been restored!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 6:14-29
More:
What relationship was restored and unified in Ephesians 2:14 as a result of Jesus breaking down the wall of hostility?
Next:
According to Colossians 1:13, from what has God rescued you and to what has He transferred you? How has the restoration of your relationship with God affected your relationships with others?
Gary Shultz on July 16, 2015 at 6:14 am
There is much restoration needed because there is much darkness. Thank God He is in the business of bringing people back to Him. I hope we, like Bob, get involved in God’s work. Thanks
Tom Felten on July 16, 2015 at 8:33 am
Roxanne, I’m reminded of this truth: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we believe in Jesus, receiving His gift of salvation, we are transformed. And we now become people who bring God’s transforming work to others and to the world!