How can we help others be restored to God? - Restoration - TouchPoints

2 Corinthians 5:18-21God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Matthew 3:2Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Luke 24:47With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’

Acts 2:37-38Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter’s words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 3:19Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins.

Luke 1:77-79You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

We can share with others God’s message of love, repentance, and forgiveness of sin.

James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.

We can confess sin to one another, and commit to praying for, encouraging, and each other. It is also important to confess sin to those whom we have wronged.

2 Corinthians 13:7-10We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. We pray this . . . because we want you to do right even if we ourselves seem to have failed. Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times. We are glad to be weak, if you are really strong. What we pray for is your restoration to maturity . . . I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to build you up, not to tear you down.

We can mentor and disciple others, showing them how to live for God.

Matthew 18:15If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways . . . For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation . . . Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right.

Galatians 2:11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong.

Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

1 Timothy 5:20Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God.

James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

We can confront sin gently and humbly with the goal of restoring others to God.

1 Timothy 1:20Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of this. I turned them over to Satan so they would learn not to blaspheme God.

We can maintain hope in others’ repentance. Some people may need to be let go, meaning we stop pursuing them with the discipline process. There is only so much we as people can do to encourage repentance in someone. For some people, they may have to fully fall into the hands of Satan and experience the tragic feeling and consequences of being a slave to sin before they see the need for repentance and change. For some, they cannot experience the freedom Christ gives until they experience the tragic consequences of being under Satan’s control.

2 Corinthians 2:7-8Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover. Now show him that you still love him.

We can offer forgiveness and comfort in love, encouraging repentance and restoration on the part of the sinner.