Restitution is an act of making amends
for wrongs done against our fellowmen, restoring stolen
or misappropriated things, properties or persons to
their rightful owners, paying back just debts, giving
back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the
offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to
have a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
This is done whether the person injured knew or not, for
God knows (Hebrews 4:13).
We receive forgiveness when we confess
and forsake our sins. We get cleansed by the blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ (Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9). When
a sins against God, we often find that other people
suffer as a result of that sin. It is also true that
when a man sins against his neighbor, he sins against
God in the same act, because one of God’s commandments
has been broken. God willingly forgives the sins
committed against Him when there is repentance and
forsaking of sin. However, God requires that a man make
amends to any person he has injured or wronged as a mark
among other things, that repentance is genuine. We need
to bear fruit that signify to all that we have become
new creatures indeed (Luke 3:8-14; Romans 8:1-2; Acts
24:16; II Corinthians 5:17). Making restitutions ensures
that we have right relationship with our fellowmen after
we are reconciled with God.
The Bible doctrine on restitution in
practice and precept spans virtually all the
dispensations of God’s dealings with men till present
day. The revelation of God’s will and word before the
Mosaic laws demands that we make restitution (Romans 1
LI 9-20). Therefore, this teaching or doctrine of God's
word, which had been, established many years before the
law cannot be abolished with the law.
Restitution is part of the moral law.
Most sins committed by men are against God as well as
their neighbor. So repentance toward God for the
children of Israel included restoration to man of all
properties gained by fraud, lying or pretence of
whatever kind (Exodus 21:18,19,22,26-36; 22:1-15;
Leviticus 6:2-5; Numbers 5:6-8).
Rulers in Israel reflected and embraced
this teaching on restitution. It is vital today that
rulers, temporal and spiritual reflect this commitment
to God’s moral requirement for all men (II Samuel 16:5-8
with 19:16-23; Proverbs 6:30,31; I Kings 20:34; II Kings
8:1-6). The prophets in Israel also preached, explained
and emphasized the need to make restitution by every
backslidden Israelite who is returning to God. Nehemiah
5: 6-13. The prophets proclaimed and prophesied much of
the coming of Christ and the atoning sacrifice. They
were quick to recognize the need for the blood of the
Iamb to cleanse sins, yet they did not lessen God's
requirement of the necessity of restitution. The
ministry of preachers today is akin to that of the Old
Testament prophets.
Restitution is a doctrine of Christ,
confirming his word that till heaven and earth pass, one
jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law till
all be fulfilled. Every believer must earnestly and
whole-heartedly contend for and practice all that Christ
taught (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-5; Luke 19:8-1
0).
Zaccheus’ encounter with the Lord Jesus
Christ is an object lesson. Zaccheus wanted nothing to
stand between himself and his salvation - not even his
wealth, especially that part that has been ill gotten.
Though the people murmured that Jesus was going to be a
sinner’s guest, Jesus pronounced that salvation has come
to Zacchaeus' house since he as a son of Abraham not
only by birth but now also by faith, is ready to make
right his life and wholly follow the Lord. The salvation
experience makes a person feel like returning all
possessions that rightfully belong to another.
The apostles in the early church also
preached and taught restitution. In fact the whole
church of God lived by this teaching. Matthew 28:19,20;
John 14:26; Acts 2:42; 16:4,5; Philemon 7:21. The rules
of righteous living are just as high (or even higher)
under the dispensation of Grace as those in the Old
Testament. Restitution is as much a part of the Gospel
as conversion or water baptism. It is not a
self-righteous act to merit pardon. When a man is saved,
he will not only make right matters of money such as
theft, dishonest gains and unpaid bills; he will also
confess his lies, slanderous reports, unjust criticisms,
hatred, malice - those things in which one may have
injured others in word or deed. One may say, ‘my brother
or sister does not know that I talked evil of him’. but
what about the person to whom you talked? Without doubt
you have harmed him, and perhaps he repeated it to
others. You should go to the one to whom you talked and
confess it.
It is better that we make right all
previous wrongs here and now than face it in eternity.
The great counselor who never lost a case can go before
us and soften the hearts of those whom we wronged (I
Timothy 5:24).
Making restitution can be likened to a
scriptural warfare in which we need God’s help and
wisdom to undertake for us and quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:10-12,16). Some
restitution are delicate. These are restitutions that
may implicate or bring injuries or harm to others that
may be unsaved; or the need to settle issues with
individuals or organizations that may affect other
people in an adverse way. It also includes cases in
which we do not have clear leading from God’s word as to
what steps to take. For delicate restitutions, we need
fervent prayerfulness, wisdom and counseling from
Spirit-filled preachers of God’s word who believe and
teach the whole counsel of God (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22;
24:6).
The civil laws in a country may not
always govern in matters of restitution. For example,
the law may provide a time limit for certain classes of
debts and obligations, after which they become lapse;
but no debts are outlawed with God. Time cannot cancel
moral obligations.
Restitution is usually considered at
the time of salvation because God will only forgive when
a man is willing, so far as it lies within his power to
make right every wrong that he has committed against
others. There would be need however throughout life as a
Christian to be ready to make restitution where need be
when others are offended, for example, out of human
error of judgment (Acts 23:1-5, Matthew 5:23,24).
God demands that restitutions be made.
A far-reaching benefit in God’s plan as regards
restitution is that an undeniable testimony is directed
to people who otherwise might never seriously hear the
story of the gospel. A religion that compels a man to
pay his just debts, restore back the things he has
stolen, and uncover his crimes demands confidence from
men of the world.
When restitutions are made, and past wrongs are
settled, the peace of God floods the believer’s heart.
There is confidence towards God in prayer and the
believer makes progress in the Christian life as sense
of guilt is removed (Romans
8:1,2). |