Steps to Receive Restoration

Have you ever felt so weak in facing the many troubles pressing in on you? Not only physically, but also in faith. We fall low and feel abandoned. We feel that many people hate us because we have deliberately sinned, and we also feel guilty for hurting the hearts of those who love us. Often we cannot escape self-regret and instead sink into various bad habits. Yet those things will never bring us to the restoration we deeply long for.

Yet, God always has a way to restore us. Let us learn from the restoration experienced by the younger son in the parable of the lost son, what steps he took so that he could come out of his broken state.

1. Becoming Aware of Our Present Condition

Then he came to his senses and said: How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food, while I am here dying of hunger (Luke 15:17). To receive restoration, the first step we need to take is to become aware of our present condition and not try to deny it. If we are currently trapped in debt, then that is our condition! If we have problems with our spouse or parents, then that is the reality! If there is bitterness in our hearts, admit it!

The younger son realized that his condition was deeply miserable. In his father's house, he could eat anything and satisfy all his desires. But now, he was even close to starving to death. Ending up as a pig keeper was already very bad, but eating the pigs' food clearly made him even more miserable. The younger son realized that the workers in his father's house were in a far better condition than he was. If we refuse to recognize our true condition and confess our sins, then we will never be able to change.

2. Having a Clear Goal

I will rise and go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired workers (Luke 15:18-19). The younger son knew his wrong, and he set his goal, which was to return to his father.

The younger son knew very well that to return to his father, he had to travel a very long distance. He also understood that he had sinned greatly against his father, so there was a possibility that his father would refuse to acknowledge him as a son again. Then, what if that happened? He was ready to become one of his father's hired workers. In humility he was willing to confess his sin and accept the consequences of his actions.

3. Moving Forward

So he got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20). As the younger son moved forward and continued with his life, good things happened to him. His father received him again as a son, his condition was restored, and he returned to a good life in his father's house. None of that would have happened if he had not decided to leave his old life and move forward toward his new life.

Perhaps there are relationships that have been broken in our lives. Perhaps we have left God, our spouse, our child, or our friend. Is it time for us to move forward now? Do not wait for other people to come to us first. God honors humility. Come to God and to the person we need to go to with all humility, and God will restore our condition. Perhaps the result will not be as instant as what the younger son experienced in the parable above; we must be ready to go through the process. But as we keep moving forward, that restoration will happen.

Facing problems and failures is certainly unpleasant and painful. Yet, we do not need to remain sunk in despair. Instead, God wants to use that situation to reveal His love and bring us to true restoration.

Whatever problem we are facing right now, let us learn from the younger son whose condition was finally restored. By recognizing the reality of our present condition, let us set our goal and move forward toward the restoration that God has prepared for everyone who is willing to come to Him.

* Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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