Work of Restoration
Man was created in the image of God, but by falling into sin this image was lost and man became evil in every respect. Every commandment of God has been broken by man. He became selfish, proud, vain, loving sin and unrighteousness. God could have easily destroyed the sinners and create new people again in His own image, but because of His love toward mankind He decided to begin the work of restoration. To erase the sinful characteristics and to restore His own image in man again.
This work of restoration was not easy to God, neither to man himself, but yet it was possible.
The first step in the restoration was the sacrifice that God has to make. To give up His Son to die for the guilty sinner was a struggle to the Father.
“After the fall of man, it cost our heavenly Father an infinite price to provide a way to prevent the defaced image of God in man being wholly obliterated, and to provide for the restoration of that image in the soul.” Rev. Her. July 17, 1984
Now it was made possible that a repentant sinner could obtain pardon and be called a child of God again. But this was not all that was involved in the restoration of man. His character had been corrupted. His habits and deeds were evil, and also his thoughts and imaginations. ” And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5
The first thing that the sinner must realize is that alone he can do nothing. When the disciples listened to the words of Jesus they cried out, “Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matt. 19:25-26
The second lesson for us to learn is that through Christ we can do all things. He said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and ‘it should remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt. 17:20
When we learn this lesson then we will not trust in ourselves anymore. We will give up our wisdom and blend our will to the will of God.
“In this conflict of righteousness against unrighteousness we can be successful only by divine aid. Our finite will must be brought into submission to the will of the Infinite; the human will must be blended with the divine. This will bring the Holy Spirit to our aid; and every conquest will tend to the recovery of God’s purchased possession, to the restoration of His image in the soul.” MYP p. 55
In this work of restoration of the image of God in man the next lesson is a difficult one. It is our part in this work. Paul writes, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Heb. 12:4.
Jesus said, “If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off.” Matt. 5: 29-30
At this point many Christians do stop. They follow religion when it is easy and convenient, but when the temptations of Satan come overpowering against them, they give in, blaming human weakness.
People have invented a crossless religion. They believe and teach that we are saved by faith and not by works of the law. But they forget from what we are saved. Matt. 1 :21 says “He shall save His people from their sins.”
Now we understand the words of Paul, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” Rom. 3:20-21
The righteousness that we receive by faith is witnessed by the law. Without this witness we are not righteous yet.
Jesus said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17
The spirit of prophecy is clear on this point. “Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown. The strongest evidence of man’s fall from a higher state is the fact that it cost so much to return. The way of return can be gained only by hard fighting, inch by inch, every hour. By a momentary act of will, one may place himself in the power of evil; but it requires more than a momentary act of will to break these fetters, and attain to a higher, holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun; but its accomplishment will require toil, time, and perseverance, patience and sacrifice.” Test. Vol. 8 p. 313
“Self-denial and whole-hearted sacrifice meet us everywhere. But they are provided to accomplish the restoration of the moral image of God in man.” Youth’s Instructor July 19, 1900
It is with a great effort on our part that the lost image of God can be restored in us. But we must not stop here. We must also work to restore this image in our fellow men. We are our brother’s keepers. We must watch our neighbors? our relatives, our brothers and sisters in the church, and the people around us to make sure that the image of God will be restored to them also.
“The work that Christ did on this earth His followers are to do. With the power and efficiency brought by the Holy Spirit they are to carry forward His plan for the restoration of the divine image in humanity. The Lord will do great things for them when they work under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But they must place their entire dependence on God.” The Upward Look p. 173
“The moral image of God has been lost, but those who are laborers together with God are to restore in men the likeness of Christ. They are to impart ideas that will work their salvation, and that will prepare them to be temples of the Holy Ghost.” Manuscript Releases #9 p. 371
Paul counsels us, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1
“If a man be overtaken in a fault, restore such an one! Gal. 6:1. The word here translated ‘restore’ means to put in joint, as a dislocated bone. How suggestive the figure! He who falls into error or sin is thrown out of relation to everything about him. He may realize his error, and be filled with remorse; but he cannot recover himself He is in confusion and perplexity, worsted and helpless. He is to be reclaimed, healed, re- established. ‘Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one,’ Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. Only he in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the tree or the blood in the body, can restore the wounded soul.” ED 113-114
Now we learn another aspect of the restoration of God’s image in us. It can only be done by love. True successful missionary work can only be done by demonstrating the love that God has given us in our words and actions toward the sinner.
“Man can not enjoy divine blessing unless he shows love to God and to his neighbor. He has lost God’s favor by sin. The moral image of God can not be restored in him while he cherishes his own image; for this means defilement. He must work diligently for the right, if he desires to see the restoration of the divine image.” Youth’s Instructor Sept. 21, 1899
As we go out to save the sinners we must not forget the children. In our Bible studies with the families with children, we need to speak so that the children can understand and be interested.
“What can be more satisfying in the work together with God, than to see children and youth receiving the impressions of the Spirit of God in true nobility of character and in the restoration of the moral image of God – the children seeking the peace coming from the Prince of Peace?” Christian Education p. 156
And finally, what will be the end result of our work for ourselves and others?
“Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christ’s character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality.” Test. Vol. 2 p.505
Daily we must advance in the work of restoration of God’s image in us. If we come to the end and the work of restoration is not complete, then all would be lost. May the Lord help each one of us put out greater effort to overcome sin and faults in OUR characters and ask the Lord to help us in this battle.
AMEN