a question about restoration

[wondering04]

We do reap what we sow. If we sow seeds of sin, even though we are fogiven for our sins, we often still have to face the consequences of our sins on earth.

But I am wondering about sins committed against one. When a sin is committed against your person, destroying a part of you, is the restoration from that sin different from the restoration of a sin that you deliberately chose to commit?

In my case my father caused me to lose my virginity before I even know what that meant. So when I went into a relationship, I was already not pure. Of course, in rebellion, I acted out and made matters worse for myself in relationships.

But, in either case, deliberate sin or sin committed against a person, is there a difference in the restoration from God. The end result was ruin of a person, so can God completely restore? I don't know how to ask this question any clearer. I hope I haven't confused you with it.

Heather

[rockswillcryout]

Heather,

First off, let me just say you've asked a great question. And it's tough. It made me think!

Let us here the word of the Lord:

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,

you who have done great things.

Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor

and comfort me once again.

-Psalm 71: 19-21

Now let's look at the definition of restore:

1. To bring back into existence or use; reestablish: restore law and order.

2. To bring back to an original condition: restore a building. See Synonyms at revive.

3. To put (someone) back in a former position: restore the emperor to the throne.

4. To make restitution of; give back: restore the stolen funds.

Jos is the obvious example I think of when I think of restoration. David is another good example. Job was faithful, and Satan attacked his family, his way of life. By no fault of Job, terrible things happened to him. And Job never walked away from God, and he was rewarded abundantly for it.

David sinned again and again. He had his vices, but he repented. He became a great leader, a great king. A man after God's own heart.

To restore, as stated above, is to return to what it was. Can God completly restore? Yes, for there is nothing our God cannot do. And sometimes our humanity is what keeps the restoration process from being fulfilled. I know many times when I sin and receive forgiveness, I still remember that sin... it haunts me. Satan waves it in front of my face and gets me down. That is a way in which my restoration may not be complete, but it is by no fault of God's, but my own inability to stand against the enemy.

When God restores us, he doesn't just make us what we were before. He makes us stronger, he makes us better. It's called the process of sanctification. God wants us to be molded and shaped into his image. So when he restores us, he also builds us up.

Is the restoration different between sin we commit vs. sins committed against us? Well, I'm not sure there is an answer for that. In both cases, we are humbled and in both, there is forgiveness. It may feel different to us, because the actions are different. In one you are being healed from, the other you are forgiven AND healed from. The difference I see is that with one, the mercy is extended to you. With the other the mercy is extended towards to other (if repentance has occured).

This is my prayer for you, Heather:

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5: 9-11

[Jedi4Yahweh]

We do reap what we sow. If we sow seeds of sin, even though we are fogiven for our sins, we often still have to face the consequences of our sins on earth.

But I am wondering about sins committed against one. When a sin is committed against your person, destroying a part of you, is the restoration from that sin different from the restoration of a sin that you deliberately chose to commit?

In my case my father caused me to lose my virginity before I even know what that meant. So when I went into a relationship, I was already not pure. Of course, in rebellion, I acted out and made matters worse for myself in relationships.

But, in either case, deliberate sin or sin committed against a person, is there a difference in the restoration from God. The end result was ruin of a person, so can God completely restore? I don't know how to ask this question any clearer. I hope I haven't confused you with it.

Heather

Hi,

I believe God can restore from consequences of sin as well as the relationship.

God is a God of Restoration. God has been trying to restore man ever since the fall of man.

Good Example:

Israel multiple times fell into horrible sins and because of their sins God allowed Israel to be overtaken by other nations as a punishment from God, but God in his loving mercy always made a provision. He said in the land in which you are held captive if you will call out to me and turn from your sins and turn to me. I will come quickly and rescue you from your captivity and brake the chains of bondage and tear down the gates of Iron and Steel and then you will come back to me and I will restore you and heal you in the land that I gave to you.

This promise is for all who will listen.

Many of us have been led away by our sins and we now held captive and in bondage, but God says now if you will cry out to me and turn from you sins I will come quickly and rescue you and restore you and heal you and place you back where you belong.

God can restore the wasted years, the wasted relationships, the hurts by others, can use what was meant for evil and turn it into a golden opportunity.

God bless,

[wondering04]

Thank you both for responding to my question! I guess you are right, in both cases healing is necessary for restoration. My question stemmed from the fact that the abuse I received as a child hurt so deeply inside that what is broken doesn't seem to be getting repaired. It affects not only trust of others but my relationship with God. Given that there was little love, and the inner brokeness I am finding it hard to see how God can repair that damage. It is like walking through the world and only seeing yourself as damaged goods. And it leads to such unbiblical behavior such as feeling that the only way you can earn God's love is by works because the damage is so intense that even God cannot love you. It is such a challenge.

I know in Isaiah (I think) it says that God will restore beauty for ashes. And in another passage he talks about the potter and the clay. But the pot that is me is so smashed that maybe there is no way to repair it. Perhaps I am the anomally to the theory that with God all things are possible.

Heather

[Adstar]

Perhaps I am the anomally to the theory that with God all things are possible.

That

[larryt]

Heather,

Let me say that what you have shared I know takes great courage to drop walls and thus become vulnerable. It is in this vulnerability that Love is at its best. God has got you to the place that you are dealing with the innermost problems of your life. He only brings you to this point when He knows you can handle it. On the one hand you have come to understand the sowing and reaping in your life. When we realize this God can show us the greatness of His ability to restore. In Joel first God tells of the destruction to come. Nothing would be left.

Joel 1:4  That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

And for a chapter and a half God give the reasons for His wrath. But He gives His requirements for the remedy.

12

[rockswillcryout]

Thank you both for responding to my question! I guess you are right, in both cases healing is necessary for restoration. My question stemmed from the fact that the abuse I received as a child hurt so deeply inside that what is broken doesn't seem to be getting repaired. It affects not only trust of others but my relationship with God. Given that there was little love, and the inner brokeness I am finding it hard to see how God can repair that damage. It is like walking through the world and only seeing yourself as damaged goods. And it leads to such unbiblical behavior such as feeling that the only way you can earn God's love is by works because the damage is so intense that even God cannot love you. It is such a challenge.

I know in Isaiah (I think) it says that God will restore beauty for ashes. And in another passage he talks about the potter and the clay. But the pot that is me is so smashed that maybe there is no way to repair it. Perhaps I am the anomally to the theory that with God all things are possible.

Heather

Heather, I sometimes feel the same way - so broken you'll never feel fixed. But I take a little comfort in knowing God will build me into something better.

The only thing I can say is to try and havbe faith the God will bring you through, and let yourself be open to the changes he wants to make in your life.

And if you think you need to take to a counselor, I would recommend 1-800-NEW-LIFE. They have a lot of experience with your kind of situation.

Be blessed today and know we all love you!

[wondering04]

Thanks for those scriptures. I was just up to Joel in my Bible reading/study. Faith and trust and all the little words are so difficult for me, but I do see that there has been changes since I have come to know God. I think that with the new creation idea, maybe the old fleshly parts still take time to pass away even though the spirits are changed.

Heather

[Catsmeow]

Thank you both for responding to my question!

[wondering04]

Dear Catsmeow, I am so glad that you were so strong in spirit to let the evil not reflect on your self esteem, but to see the perpetrator as who they were. I guess in my case there was a systematic program that tore apart all sense of self and all sense of security. By the time my father began his attacks, he had already made two attempts on my life. When he told me that if I told any one he would kill me, I believed him. Also, I was told I was too stupid and ugly for anyone to ever want to marry, so he told me he was doing me a favor by "teaching" me what he did. I never really felt loved, and only scared, frightened and alone. I guess it is little wonder that dealing with a loving God is such a challenge for me.

I am beginning to see his love more, but it is hard to dare to believe that it can affect me or that He really means it for me.

I am not in a great emotional space right now, but am not always this down. And I am blessed with a good husband and three good children. There is hurt, but hurt is not my whole being. Just right now it is tough.

Heather