May 16, 2024
And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
- Revelation 5:9-10
Through the death and resurrection of Christ, we were restored to the original state God had for us from the beginning of time. This was more than a historical event. It represents the basis for hope in eternity. Prior to the death of Jesus, we were condemned to a life of separation from God, because of our sin. It was at the cross that the justice and mercy of God met and paid the price for us to be restored and reconciled back to God. It did not just end in the death of Jesus, but because Christ resurrected from the dead, He invited us to share in the victory over sin and death.
This restored us not only to our original state, but also granted us access to a renewed relationship with God and established us to serve Him as priests in our new reality. Living out the restoration we have obtained through Christ means that we are no longer slaves to sin, nor are we defined by our past, present or even future mistakes or failures. This knowledge should impact how we view ourselves, interact with others and even with the world around us.
Through Christ, we have been invited to drop off the old way we saw ourselves and embrace a new way. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!
Dropping the old way we saw ourselves means that we build a daily practice of renewing our minds with God’s truth. We replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word (Romans 12:2). It involves spending time daily in God’s word, meditating on the truth of scripture instead of on our circumstances. Remembering all His promises even during difficult or challenging seasons of life.
Through Christ we have also been invited to offer ourselves for the benefit of the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 shows how everyone is a vital part of the body of Christ, with unique gifts and talents. This restoration involves engaging actively with other believers. Bearing each other’s burden, forgiving as you have been forgiven and inspiring one another to good works. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Lean into serving the body of Christ and letting your light shine through. Invest in relationships and friendships that will encourage your spiritual growth. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you to grow and hold you accountable as you live out the restoration Christ offers.
Finally, to enjoy the restorative power of Christ, you must cultivate a posture of hope and expectation. Every day remind yourself of God’s promises and His faithfulness, even when faced with setbacks. Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is so much to be hopeful for when you know that God is for you, and that He makes all things to work for your good.
Engage the power of Restoration that Christ has made available to you today.
Song of Worship
I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God
Song: No Longer Slaves By Bethel Music
Prayer - Declare that today you receive the grace of God to engage the power of restoration that Christ has made available to you. The Lord is restoring to you the years that the cankerworms, the caterpillars and the palmerworm have eaten. You pursue, overtake and recover. So it is, and shall be in Jesus' name Amen
Bible in 1 year: 1 Chronicles 1-3