*👤MINISTER: _PASTOR MOSES AMETEPEH_*
👉MEMORY VERSE: _”Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”_ (Matthew 5:24)
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Restitution is the act of bringing something to its original state or the process of restoring an object. A large number of Christians are ignorant about the knowledge of restitution. Out of the extreme emphasis they place on the grace of God by which we are saved, they refuse to do the work which goes hand in hand with the Christian faith. That notwithstanding, some Christians are knowledgeable about the essence of restitution but they don’t put it into practice. Salvation comes after one has repented from his sins. For this reason, faith with the work of restitution is a surest evidence that we have repented (James 2:26).
Restitution isn’t a new introduction into Christianity, neither is it one of the Mosaic laws as grace preachers regard it. It is so divine that it was in practice before the dispensation of the law, and it became included in the laws but still holds up to now. Among the examples of the instances of restitution in the Old Testament can be found in Exodus 22:1-9, 2 Samuel 12:5-6, and Genesis 20:7,14. When we sinned against God, our Saviour Jesus Christ restored us to God even when we were at the guilty end. Zaccheus showed a typical example of restitution by restoring in four fold all that he dubiously took from people (Luke 19:1-10).
One who has understood the Christian doctrine of restitution is making all his crooked paths straight before the Lord (Proverbs 19:2, 1Corinthians 14:6, Romans 13:8). God’s Word is telling us not to owe anybody in cash or offence for the sake of our soul’s eternal well being and complete prove of our readiness to be holy as he is holy. Restitution is one of the indications that nothing of Satan is still with us in the aftermath of our salvation. Ask yourself these questions: did you steal anybody’s item when you didn’t know Christ, did you do any false certificate for employment and admission, killed somebody, made false accusations against a prisoner or a person who lost his job, impregnated a lady and escaped, or aborted a baby of your husband? Maybe you have committed adultery, stole school and work properties, lied to someone, and many others. Know that if you have truly repented and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you have no choice than to do so. Don’t be accused by Satan on the day of judgment.
If we sin and we don’t uncover them, it shall be open before God, and this attracts eternal punishment (Mark 4:22-23, 1Peter 1:14-17). Restitution is our real announcement to the world, as well as to God that you have turned into a new leaf. Part of the fruit I need to bear for God after being saved by the grace of God, is to win my family, colleagues and others for Christ Jesus. We will know from the lives of Christians who fail to restore things to their rightful owners that they are not able to speak against the sinful character which used to captivate them until came to know Christ Jesus (Luke 17:3-5).
People can’t make restitutions because of fear, pride and the lack of understanding about it. However, those are all parr of the devil’s tricks to keep you in bondage forever but this comes with an unbearable destruction which cannot be spoken about. May the Lord assist us with the divine boldness and strength to do our restitutions as the Lord expects from us.
—————————————
*PRAYER*: Lord Jesus Christ, permit me to recollect all the past offences that call for my restitution. *AMEN*
—————————————-