Christian Family Fellowship.
PDO, Muscat.
Most sins committed by man are
against God and against his fellow man. God forgives our sins, if we
acknowledge, confess and turn away from them and believe in Christ as Lord and
Saviour. This is only possible because Christ has atoned, that is, made
restitution for our sins toward God. Through this process of reconciliation God
drops his charge of sin against us. However, the man whom we also sinned
against is left out in this process and continues to hold the charge against
us. We are therefore required to apply this principle of restitution, basic to
God’s righteousness, to our relationships toward man. Matt 5: 23-24. Though Christ has carried out the work of redemption, man
is responsible for righting the wrong against his fellow man. It is expected
that we always have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men, as
Paul said in Acts 24: 16.
Meaning and basis for Restitution
1. Restitution is commanded as seen in the
following scriptures - Genesis 20: I-l8;Gen 32: 9-32;
33: 1-4; Exodus 21: 18, 19, 22, 26— 36; Exodus 22: 1- 15; Leviticus 6; 2-5, Numbers 5: 6-8, Ezekiel 33:14 —16;
Ezra 10:I,18—19.Nehemiah 5:6—13.
2. Christ and the Apostles taught and encouraged
restitution Mail 5:23—24, Luke 19: 8—
10; Phjlemon 21.
Restitution
was taught before the law, under the law and under the dispensation of grace as
seen from above scriptures.
Que 1. From the passages above, how
would you explain restitution? What does it entails?
Que 2. Do you share the view that
Christians are required to make restitution? What are the reasons for your
answer?
Que 3. Why is restitution
necessary?
Acts
16:24;Heb 12:14;2Pet3:14,Romans 13:8a;Matt5:48;Matt3:8;Ezekiel33: 14—16;Matt5:
13-16
Steps toward restitution
Restitution could be difficult to handle because
some issues are sensitive and require wisdom. It is not a matter of convenient
either. It may not be entirely possible in some situations. Therefore it is
important that restitution is approached prayerfully. Guidance should be sought
from matured Christians were necessary. In some cases one may have to suffer
the consequences of the offence committed in the past, but God’s grace is
sufficient.
Que 4:
What practical steps should one take to make restitution (a) toward a
Christian (b) toward an unbeliever, (c) toward an organisation or the state.
The step in approaching a sinning brother in Matt 18: 15 —17 could be helpful
in some situations.
Que 5: How
possible and easy, is it to make restitution in the following situations?
1. Sweet stolen from mum’s fridge
2. Hit and run case in a vehicle accident
leading to fatality.
3. Stolen books from library while in the
Secondary school.
4. House or other property acquired through
fraud or bribe.
5. False witness against another.
6. Deceived another man’s wife and married her.
7. Paid bribe to be employed on present job.
8. Somebody wrote my school certificate
examination for me. and many more
situations.
Conclusion
— Restitution is not a self-righteous act to merit us
pardon but an essential part of genuine repentance. Restitution without faith
in Christ will not save any one. However acts of restitution is fruits
befitting repentance. (Mail 3:8).