The history of the Church is a very interesting subject, but it is not always easy to understand why so many things went so wrong. On the other hand it is important to remember that from the very beginning the church started with this idea of restoration (Acts 3:19-21). There are so many scriptures that point to the fact that the church would have to go through a process of losing its original life and anointing, and then be restored again. This is the process of restoration we find ourselves in right now.
In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul is describing the process that would happen in the church as each generation would build upon the foundation that he was laying, and that the foundation is Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9-15). The process of the restoration sometimes comes by the fire of God being used to remove whatever was built upon the foundation that was not from God, but that were men’s ideas and influences.
It is easy to settle and think that we have arrived at our destination, but as the bride of Christ the church must make herself ready (Revelation 19:7). Christ will return to a church that has been restored to an even greater glory and anointing (Haggai 2:9).
I believe that we must continue to gather together and worship, study the Word of God, and to be thankful for the salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. However, we also must follow the example of the apostle Paul, being driven to reach the goal, of actually laying hold of everything that has been made available to the church by Christ (John 14:12). There is more to be done and more for us to become, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Let us have this drive in us!
Philippians 3:7-14
Isaiah 58:12
Isaiah 61:4
Revelation 2:1-5
Joel 2:25-29