Restoration
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33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
The book of Romans is an astounding record of God’s grace and righteousness that comes through faith. It describes a literal restoration of a broken relationship. The most intimate and devoted of relationships ever created, dismantled by an adulterous relationship with sin. Thousands of years later, we still discuss, theorize, and shake our heads at how this occurred. We have committed a grievous atrocity against God, one of which there is no way we can ever pay restitution. However, God does not look for restitution, he only desires restoration. A restoration of the relationship he desired from the beginning. How do we restore our relationship with God? Through confession and repentance of sin, and desiring a restored relationship with our creator.
Too often, though, we as Christians think or expect others to live a life how we feel someone should live. We do them a disservice by asking them to do something they have no knowledge of. We tell them what they should be doing instead of living a life as an example to them of what a Christian should be doing. We are holding them to a standard that they haven’t read yet! We demand restitution, while God only seeks restoration. You see, we Christians can be our own worst enemy. In fact, at times we can be GOD’S worst enemy in trying to reach the lost.
In the Emergency Post Dr. F. E. Marsh tells of one occasion he was preaching on the importance of confession of sin and, wherever possible, of restitution for wrong done to others. Afterward a young man came up to him and said: “Pastor, you have put me in a sad fix. I have wronged another and am ashamed to confess it or try to put it right. I am a boat builder, and the man I work for is an unbeliever. I have talked to him often about his need of Christ and have urged him to come and hear you preach, but he scoffs and ridicules it all. In my work, copper nails are used because they do not rust in the water, but they are quite expensive, so I had been carrying home quantities of them to use on a boat I am building in my back yard.” The pastor’s sermon had brought him face to face the fact that he was just a common thief. “But,” he said, “I cannot go to my boss and tell him what I have done, or offer to pay for those I have used. If I do he will think I am just a hypocrite, and yet those copper nails are digging into my conscience, and I know I shall never have peace until I put this matter right.”
One night he came again to Dr. Marsh and exclaimed, “Pastor, I’ve settled for the copper nails, and my conscience is relieved at last.” “What happened when you confessed?” asked the pastor. “Oh, he looked queerly at me, and then said, ‘George, I always did think you were just a hypocrite, but now I begin to feel there’s something in this Christianity after all. Any religion that makes a dishonest workman confess that he has been stealing copper nails, and offer to settle for them, must be worth having.”
You see, we want to stop at the first part of Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”, but forget the rest of the verse:
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My question today is simple. Why? How is it we tend to focus on where we are at, instead of where God brought us from? Why is it we forget the sin in our life, and focus on sin in others lives? Maybe, just maybe it’s because we haven’t been reminded of God’s love for us, a simple sinner saved by God’s grace. Restored in our relationship simply because of God’s love for his creation. Today, I want us to look at Paul’s words to the church of Rome, a reminder of God’s glorious plan of restoration for us all.
Attributes of a Great God
Attributes of a Great God
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Think carefully of the words Paul uses to describe the Divine plan God has sketched out for the world:
Oh, the depth - a dimension used figuratively for greatness that is impossible to understand or interpret - unfathomable.
of the riches - the fullness of goods, flowing or filling with spiritual wealth.
and wisdom - Paul enthusiastically describes the divine plan of salvation in wisdom terms and with wisdom ideas. Here, divine wisdom is related to Christ, since faith in Christ is the only way of salvation.
and knowledge - “intelligent comprehension” (of God) - contrasting with the limited comprehension, abundance, wisdom, and knowledge of humans.
How Unsearchable are his judgments- fathomless, incomprehensible riches of Christ.
and Inscrutable his ways- the mystery of God’s way of judgment with Israel that leads to grace. The term implies that the question of the meaning of this judgment cannot be given any theoretical human answer.
Paul describes the revelation of God’s righteousness, with praise! He tries his best, in human comprehension, to explain what God has revealed to us - knowing there is no way we can describe them all, and challenges us and our faith. Paul challenges believers again in Galatians 4:9.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Paul continues to write his amazement of God - his weightiness, heaviness, and deepness in the universe, with unmatched glory, to the extent we don’t even have the ability to outline his abilities. Not only that, but because of this awesome amazement, how could anyone turn back to their pre-salvation ways? We go from a destitute sinner, to an heir to the the King - with all the riches and wealth of glory.
True wealth comes from God, granted through Christ to any and all who accept Him.
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
I think of the story of the prodigal son, wanting wealth that was not his (at the time of his request), losing his wealth, his position, and his dignity. When he returned to his father, though, he was fully restored.
How many of us remember when we were living a life of sin, the times we would tell ourselves there is no way God could forgive us? There is no way God could ever look at us, deep in sin, and say he loves us, let alone desire a relationship with us. Isn’t it amazing that we can acknowledge our depraved state and convince ourselves God doesn’t care? I say all this for us to think about this simple concept. It does not matter what we have done, it does not matter whether we fully understand God or why He would forgive us, the fact is God loves us so much He desires to restore a lost relationship to anyone who calls upon Him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Old Testament Musings
Old Testament Musings
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
Paul asks two questions that are quotes of two passages from the Old Testament:
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?
God is the sole Designer of His divine plan. No man knows His mind or is capable of giving Him advice.
11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
God is sovereign of all things, creating all, accountable for all, and to whom all should glorify. He is under no obligation to repay anyone, because no one has (or is capable) of giving him anything more worthy than what He has given them!
Paul simply acknowledges the restoration of humans and God belongs to God alone. God did not share His secrets with any of His creation. Because of this, we do not know His mind UNTIL he reveals it to us. While we may read God’s Word, while He may reveal more of His meaning to us through study, while He may show us His love and wisdom and knowledge, we cannot fully understand God or His ways.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God’s ways are not meant to be fully known by mankind, only admired, recognized, and followed, as God intended. Man could not improve on God’s divine plan, and even the most learned theologian certainly does not have the knowledge to assist God in His plans. When we realize the magnitude of God as supreme, sovereign, independent of human wisdom or knowledge, THEN we realize a little of what Paul is amazed by and why he gives God all the glory in the redemption story each of us as Christians share.
Many times, I think we try to over complicate God’s plan for restoration. We think we have to do something; get ourselves straightened out, work off some of our sins, make things “right” before we can approach God, forgetting that salvation - the gift of restoration - is a free gift. There is nothing we could ever do to earn salvation or work off the penalties of our sins. If we could do that, then the awesomeness of God would be diluted, tainted, not near as important because then sinful mankind would have a say in God’s plan. We should remind ourselves:
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Magnificent Praise
Magnificent Praise
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
God alone is the source, the means, and the end of all things. All things were created by and are of God, through God, and exist for God. Man can give nothing to God and claim God owes him something in return. God created man. Man rejected and rebelled against God. Man chose to do his own thing, go his own way. Man deserves nothing from God. But God…freely offers a change of restoration. IF we accept it. We have to get over ourselves, stand (as Paul did) in amazement of God, and all He has done for us - even when we do not deserve it, and humbly worship, praise, and give God the glory.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As I read through these verses, and consulted commentaries, one comment stuck out. Warren Wiersbe stated “Having contemplated God’s great plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, all Paul could do was sing a hymn of praise. As someone has remarked ‘Theology becomes doxology’. Only a God as wise as our God could take the fall of Israel and turn it into salvation for the world!”.
That statement almost broke me - how often do I take for granted what God has done in my life? How often to I let the things of the world overshadow the goodness of my God? How often do we let Satan take us to a dark place where we forget to worship, praise, and give God the glory? When was the last time I truly PRAISED GOD??? And then a familiar song came to mind, and as I searched for the lyrics I found the story behind these familiar verses.
Just as I am - without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - though toss'd about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come
aCharlotte Elliot wrote this hymn about how to find salvation through Christ. It has been used by many as the call to the altar at the close of services, as it brings a quite simple message of sin, forgiveness, and salvation to all that turn from sin and trust in Jesus.
John Brownlie described the hymn's story in his book The Hymns and Hymn Writers of the Church Hymnary: Charlotte's brother, the Rev. H. V. Elliott planned to hold a charity bazaar designed to give, at a nominal cost, a high education to the daughters of clergymen supported by St Mary Church:
The night before the bazaar she was kept wakeful by distressing thoughts of her apparent uselessness; and these thoughts passed by a transition easy to imagine into a spiritual conflict, till she questioned the reality of her whole spiritual life, and wondered whether it was anything better after all than an illusion of the emotions, an illusion ready to be sorrowfully dispelled. The next day, the busy day of the bazaar, she lay upon her sofa in that most pleasant boudoir set apart for her in Westfield Lodge, ever a dear resort to her friends." The troubles of the night came back upon her with such force that she felt they must be met and conquered in the grace of God. She gathered up in her soul the great certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise. And taking pen and paper from the table she deliberately set down in writing, for her own comfort, "the formulae of her faith." Hers was a heart which always tended to express its depths in verse. So in verse, she restated to herself the Gospel of pardon, peace, and heaven. "Probably without difficulty or long pause," she wrote the hymn, getting comfort by thus definitely "recollecting" the eternity of the Rock beneath her feet. There, then, always, not only for some past moment but " even now " she was accepted in the Beloved "Just as I am".
You see, when we come to a place in our lives where we recognize what God continues to do just to offer a restoration of our relationship through the free gift of salvation to us - the vilest of sinners - we can appreciate the attributes of God a little more fully, we can understand the amazing story of sacrifice offered by Christ, and we too will want to magnificently praise God - not because of what we can do, but because of what He did for us.
If you don’t recognize God’s attributes, if you don’t feel that amazement, or if you can’t relate to the magnificence of God, if you can’t find yourself wanting to praise God for all He has done in your life, I invite you today to COME - just as you are - to Him today.