Restitution

Restitution

Luke 19:8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

Here was Zacchaeus who went out only to see the Lord. And because of the massive crowd, he climbed a sycamore tree to see him (for he was of little stature.); when our Lord came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said unto him, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”

What a strange mixture of passion Zacchaeus has now felt, hearing one speak, knowing both his name and his heart! More so, during the time Jesus abode with him, they shared the words of eternal life. And that resulted to the confession Zacchaeus made.

Salvation brings a total change in the life of a sinner, and restitution is necessary to ascertain the genuineness of repentance.

What is Restitution?

Restitution means the restoration of stolen or misappropriated things, properties, or persons, to their rightful owners, paying one’s debt, uncovering crimes committed, giving back where one has defrauded, confessing lies told, making confession to those that are offended, and apologising to those that were slandered.

This act of restitution has a solid ground in the revelation of the cannon of scripture. A really saved soul who has tasted the real grace of God, will see the need to make restitution. The conscience of the believer is made alive again by the operation of the Holy Spirit, who points to him what and what he needs to set aright. That was why Apostle Paul said, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” 

The real believer cannot silence the conscience because all the dark hidden things of the past, cannot hide within the light of the gospel, and all will cry for restoration. Whatever deadens the conscience, and makes it insensitive to the voice of the holy Spirit is an evil thing.

You see many people who claim to be born again, yet, many years after their professed repentance, there’s no restitution. Some will tell you that, grace has covered it all, but that’s not the scripture.

The Bible says, “Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sins, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the status of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned to him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” Here is the need for Restitution.

Know therefore, that if you silence the voice of the holy Spirit pointing what and what is needful for you to settle and move forward, and you ignore him, the holy Spirit is a meek and gentle Spirit, he will leave you, but that might stand as a stumbling block for you to enter heaven.

A defiled conscience will make shipwreck of true faith. Wake up to the call, and agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary delivery thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

True Christians are Christ-like, and they always obey the word of God. I pray that the LORD give us grace to do what is right, disregarding shame and fear. Amen!

Also Read: The way of the cross leads to home