Proverbs 18: 1-2 (Amplified Version)
“He who willfully separates and estranges himself (from God and Man) seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgement.
A (self-confident) fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.” Selah.
These verses reveal the consequences of our judgements of men and God and serve as a warning to us of how damaging our judgements can be. The Body of Christ is a many membered body but our lack of unity has caused it to be out of joint, producing schisms and malfunction.
In Ephesians 4, Paul gives an exhortation to unity to the Body of Christ. Verses 1-3, “I…..beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” A history of unresolved past hurts and judgements is divisive to the fabric of community. God is seeking to mend the fabric of the Body of Christ, to manifest Himself in the Body. It is time for spiritual restoration in our community. We can allow God to deal with the restoration of relationships. God’s grace enables us not to receive wounds but to bless those who wound us. God is coming for the unreality in our lives of damaged relationships.
God is interested in the restoration of relationships. That is what Calvary is all about! The substitutional death and resurrection of Jesus Christ bridged the gulf between man and God caused by sin. Through Calvary we are redeemed and restored to God for the intimacy of a healthy, loving relationship with Him.
Isaiah 58:12 “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach. The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
So much of our believing in the Body of Christ has been in error producing malfunction in unity. When God’s workings in the Body of Christ gets it where it should be, without criticism and judgements of others, living daily in His Presence, then everything in the five fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) will be much more effective, people’s lives will be touched sovereignly by His presence without us even knowing, and God will be glorified.
Luke 19 records the story of Zacchaeus climbing in a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passed by in the crowd that thronged Him. As Jesus passed by He looked up and saw him. One look from Jesus can change a life. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “…make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house,” verse 5. Zacchaeus obeyed and his life was changed forever…the record is there in Luke 19 to read. When God speaks to us to humble ourselves we need to do as Zacchaeus did – to make haste and come down! In doing so we receive the blessing of His presence…”for today I must abide at thy house.”
After Zacchaeus’ conversion Jesus declared, “THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST,” Luke 19:10 The Saviour is still coming to seek, save and restore relationships. He delights to restore “that which was lost.” He knocks at the door of my heart, will I let Him in? Will I “make haste and come down” that He may abide in my “house” today? It’s restoration time!