UIH 3

What a blessing it is to have a brother or sister in Christ to come along side you and “restore” you gently and kindly.  Paull writes:

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.   (2Co 13:11)

I am particularly focused on, “aim for restoration.”

Restoration:  καταρτίζω, katartizō

Thayer Definition:

1) to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete

1a) to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair

1a1) to complete

1b) to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust

1b1) to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare

1c) ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be

UIH is a place where we pray that will happen.  We all get “down” either through circumstances or sin (ours or that of others) and we need to be, “restored.”  We find that same word in:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  (Gal 6:1-2)

This is one of the most wonderful things the fellowship of believers can do for one another.  But it can be a tough thing to be willing to have done to one’s self.  Admitting a need, a lack of understanding, being caught in a transgression is a very uncomfortable thing to do.  The promise of meeting, “a spirit of gentleness,” goes a long way to easing our way into reaching out.

Us in Him, through the study, counseling and fellowship  seeks to do this.  We pray that He will hold us and keep us in that “spirit of gentleness,”  as we seek, all of us, to be restored – together.   James makes it clear:

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  (Jas 3:2)

Note, “we all,” stumble and we do it in, “many ways.”  So we need helping hearts and hands to lift us up and steady us as we gain our feet.

Just this week I had several in my circle of believers comfort and restore me.  It was hard to admit I needed restoring but once I was willing to let go of my pride and the ickiness of it God blessed me gently and greatly through others.  As we are admonished to do this we need to be willing to have it done to us.  

It’s scarier out there when you feel all alone.