When we establish a firm foundation of what the origins of words are, we gain a full and completed understanding of how to best use these words to build up our faith and the faith of others in this ministry.
Restoration
We will first look at the meaning of the word ‘Restoration’. The Etymological definition of ‘Restoration’ means, “to give back, to build up again, to repair and to renew." The C.D.S. Ministry’s purpose is to do exactly that; to give back, to build up, to repair and to renew. The question we must ask ourselves is, “What are we building up, giving back, repairing and renewing in others, as well as ourselves?” We can look to our vision and mission statement for the answers to that question. First, we are helping people to build their Faith in Jesus Christ while in their recovery process. Secondly, the Lord is using each of us to give back, repair and renew what was previously lost, which is their minds.
Next we will look at the Greek translation of the word ‘Restoration’ which is translated as “apokatastasis”, which means “of the perfect state before the fall”. So as we can see, restoration has a more complex meaning, which could also takes us back to the book of Genesis where the fall began or it could take us to where we, as human beings fell in our personal lives. In Genesis chapters 1 and 2 we read of a perfect creation which received God’s approval as being ‘good’(Gen.1:10,12,18,21).
In chapter 4 we find jealousy and murder. In the following chapters mankind goes from bad to worse. What happened? “The Fall” Genesis 3: 8-21 tells us what happened as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin against God. They were spiritually separated from God. Let’s look at the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus to get more of a scriptural foundation of man having to be restored, and not only that, but to be reconciled to the Father through Jesus Christ. [see Luke 19:10]
In John 3: 3-8 it says, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’ the wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” So here we see the Fall of man Spiritually. We first see perfect union with God in the beginning, we see the enemy’s temptation, the fall of man, the spiritual separation, and in the New Testament we see Jesus proclaiming that all mankind needs to be reborn in the Spirit. As we read previously, the word restoration is somewhat complex, meaning [something that is made of many interrelated parts]. Now that we have established the origin of the word restoration, we can interpret that people are at one point in their life, for example, considering themselves to be whole, doing well just living their lives and all of a sudden something happens in their life that causes them to fall. People have been depleted of all spiritual resources, first because of SIN, secondly because of the wages of that sin and as a result they need to be reborn, and because they need to be restored of what was taken from them. [Rom.6:23; Rom.10:9] I believe the difference between rebirth and restoration lies in the reality that the rebirth happens automatically [after confessing Christ] and the restoration happens gradually by Grace through Faith [which is the process]. When we renew our minds we are being restored/transformed in our soul [which is the mind, will, emotions] with ‘The Word of God’. [Romans 12:2]
Sanctification
As we look at the Etymological definition of the word ‘Sanctification’, it means, ‘to set apart’ or ‘to make holy’. When we look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23, we see in the letter of Apostle Paul a form of prayer for those in Thessalonica, which states, “Now may the God of peace Himself ‘sanctify’ you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As you can see, Paul used the word ‘completely’, which means that some sort of process has not yet been finished, but only through us studying and being exposed to the ‘Word of God’ can this process be fully completed in us. In John 17:17 sanctification is also spoken of, which says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Matthew Henry’s commentary describes the meaning behind this scriptures quite well, “The grace desired—sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he [John] prays, Father sanctify them, that is to “Confirm the work of sanctification in them, strengthen their faith, inflame their good affections, fix and direct their attention to good resolutions. Carry on that good work in them, and continue it; let the light shine more and more. Complete it, crown it with the perfection of holiness; sanctify them throughout and to the end.” So as you can see, these two bible verses, along with the commentary give us a better understanding of what it means to be sanctified by the Father. It’s a Process!!! [in this text]
Now when we look at the Greek translation of the word ‘Sanctification’ it is translated ‘hagiasmos’, which means “the effect of consecration” or “sanctification of heart and life”. In other words, it means (a) separation to God, and (b) the resultant state, the conduct befitting those so separated. Here we see again what happens as a consequence of being set apart by God, as it pertains to the ‘result’ and the ‘conduct’ of that person who has been separated from the world for the work of the God’s Kingdom. Vines Expository dictionary gives us a more descriptive meaning, "Sanctification" is therefore the state predetermined by God for believers, into which in grace He calls them, and in which they begin their Christian course and so pursue it. Hence they are called "saints" (hagioi). Notice the bold words, which suggest that our being set apart was purposely fixed before hand, by God for believers; not just some believers, but all believers. So the question is, “Does restoration and sanctification go hand and hand in our personal relationships with God through Christ? My answer is YES they do. Are they exactly the same process? My answer would be Yes and No because there are similarities and differences between the two. Yes, because both sanctification and restoration require an ongoing process through the Grace of God and because the process requires the Truth of God’s Word.
No because sanctification pertains to the result and the conduct befitting those who are set apart by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Restoration however is not predetermined, or Paul would not have said, “BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND” [Rom. 12:2], but restoration is the process of building up, repairing and renewing by the operation of the word and ourselves, that we may be sanctified by the washing of the word, which requires that we be responsible and accountable to that word. In other words, restoration works from the outside in and sanctification works from the inside out. Another verse of scripture comes to mind, which comes from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” In this text of scripture, the Matthew Henry commentary says, “Paul takes occasion to warn the Corinthians against many heinous evils, to which they had been formerly addicted. He presents it to them as a plain truth, of which they could not be ignorant, that such sinners should not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul was simply making it plain that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. He brings to their attention what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them: ‘Such were some of you’ is a Powerful statement. How glorious a change does grace make! It changes the vilest of men into saints and into the children of God, but you are not what you were. You are washed, [by the cleansing blood of Jesus] you are sanctified, [set apart by God] you are justified in the name of Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. Please take a look at how the King James version places a ‘present tense’ of the word ‘are’ into scripture. This statement speaks of the state or rather the condition they are presently in, as oppose to a state or condition they will receive in the future. Note: None are cleansed from the guilt of sin, and reconciled to God through Christ, but those who are also sanctified by his Spirit. All who are made righteous in the sight of God are made holy by the grace of God. In closing, I would like to reiterate that the C.D.S. Ministry is purposed or rather set apart to help others gradually put back what was not in their minds and spirits before they came to Christ. Remember, we are Ministers of Reconciliation...Oh how I love the doctrine of 'RE'. The more truth we reveal, the more lies are exposed, the more the Lord confirms the work of sanctification in us, strengthens our faith, inflames our good affections, fixes and directs our attention to good resolutions. God then carries on that good work in us, and continues it; and therefore lets the light shine more and more.
I pray that all will be blessed!
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto you Oh Lord, My Strength and my Redeemer!
Psalm 19:14
