Restoring the Original Glory

I marvel at people who take an old car or a house and restore it back to its original glory. They take something that is worn from the ravages of time and meticulously bring it back to what it was originally designed to be. It reminds me of life in Jesus Christ.

Life has a way of beating us down and taking away our joy. Psalm 19:7 tells us, “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul (NASB).” God’s law is there to guide us, to point out our sinful behavior and lead us to repentance. Just like an old house or car, we replace the parts that hold us back from becoming who we were designed to be. 

Hebrews 12:1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The law of the Lord helps us root out the sin that steals our joy and weighs us down. As David recorded in Psalm 51:12 after repenting of his sin, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.” He found joy in salvation.

It’s easy to see how sin steals our joy. You don’t have to look far to find evidence of what Galatians 5:19-21 describes as “deeds of the flesh.” The passage goes on to list the results: “strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, and envying to name a few. Compare that list to what Galatians 5:22-23 lists as fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Which list do you think will bring you more joy?

The process of restoration begins when we look at our life and decide to follow Jesus. Like any restoration project, it requires commitment and a determination to root out sin and replace it with newness in Christ. In the process there is joy to be found in the Lord.