Have you seen that advertisement for cosmetics which shows a lady's face crazed like an old oil painting? Of course they put on this cream and in no time at all, thanks to an amazing ingredient, the crazed effect is gone - so too are the wrinkles and lines. What amazing stuff!

I could do with some of that! I suspect however that it will take more than retinol (yes, I did remember the ingredient) to make much impression on me. I dare not say what it might do for you!

I suppose that we all need a bit of restoration work - and not a superficial remaking of the outside - but a thorough going renovation. As a recently retired person I feel in need of God's special ministry of restoring. Along with the sheep in Psalm 23, I want to be restored in soul.

PETER has a beautiful promise for us in his book. "God ... will himself restore you..." I expect the people to whom he first wrote his letter needed it too. They were facing hardship and persecution, and it is the purpose of his letter to reassure them that God has an immutable plan for their lives that involves a future inheritance and a glorious hope.

Peter reminds his readers of the value of Christ's work for them - and their value to God. Indeed, the idea of RESTORATION is at the very heart of his letter. Let's see how he presents the theme:

Ever since He made this Earth, and sin polluted it He has been promising to restore it. That is the purpose of Christ's coming, and that is the guarantee of the Gospel.

Peter expresses that BUSINESS OF RESTORATION in these ways :-

1 Peter 1:3 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (NIV)

So in God's restoring work there is no sense of a make-over. When He effects a change it is a deep transformation.

In that part of the letter where Peter actually refers to women's "make-up", he makes it clear that the work of God has to be seen in us in a matter of INNER BEAUTY :

This means a fundamental change.

1 Peter 2:24 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (NIV)

The restoring work of God is nowhere better expressed than in the ministry and work of His Son. Our text tells us that the work of restoration is God's own work - and what Christ has achieved through His birth, death and resurrection makes this accessible to us.

And, in language reminiscent of the Shepherd Psalm, and Our Lord's words about His own ministry -

1 Peter 2:24-25 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)

RESTORATION is the work of God, especially the work of salvation. But it has a present implication for believers :

In common with every N.T. writer, Peter links practice with doctrine. His letter is full of OBLIGATIONS.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)

WE are the evidence for the world to see that God is at work in us.

IF it is true that God has changed our lives in Christ - then there should be evidence in the way we live of that work. !!

Ah, one thing to say it and affirm it, another to live it. But the obligation is clear.

1 Peter 2:21 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (NIV)

Our lives, then are meant to mirror His.

And that, you will notice, is in suffering and difficulty as well as times of ease.

1 Peter 2:5 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (NIV)

1 Peter 4:8 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

If there is any sort of make-over in the Christian's life it is that LOVE. Love for each other that has a transforming - a restoring effect like the Lord's own love.

1 Peter 3:15 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (NIV)

Chapter 4 verses 7 to 11 Q.V. sets out the obligations of those who know that the end of all things is near.

Finally we approach the words of our text :

1 Peter 5:6-11 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)

The underlined phrases sum it up for us. Peter gives us a chain of events and obligations which culminate in God's work of RESTORATION :-

Peter addresses all the levels of Church life and responsibility in his closing verses. He has special words for the oversight as well as the young and the old.

1. It is a matter of recognising your place in the plan of things

In matters of relationships the key words are "submit" and "humility" (5 vv 5 & 6)

2. It involves getting a proper perspective on worrying

Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you

"Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you" (5 v 7 "The Message")

3. It involves a realistic view of your Enemy (vv 8 & 9)

ALERT - RESISTING - STANDING FIRM accepting that suffering is a

commonplace experience amongst believers.

4. AND the God of all grace ... will HIMSELF RESTORE YOU after that you have

suffered a little while...

"God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are!

he does." (5 vv 10 & 11 "The Message")

  Saturday, 27 February 1999 C:\My Documents\Publish\First Web\RESTORATION.html by David A. Green