The word of God teaches that restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologising to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man(Exodus 22:1-7, Matthew 5:23-24). Restitution is done whether, the person injured knew or not, for God Almighty knows (Hebrews 4:13).
Salvation brings a total change into the life of man. As one receives Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour, Christ comes in and gives an experience that brings about a positive change which is evident in the life and character of the individual. This experience of salvation makes the new believer to reason and act differently in contrast to his previous life as a sinner. Contrary, to the expectation that the teaching on restitution would receive public applause, many have come to question it relevance in modern times. This assertion in view of the Bible is a sign of the end of time; for it says “the time shall come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”(2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Many today claim that restitution is no longer necessary in the New Testament dispensation; others opine that it is part of salvation process and unless it is done, salvation is not complete. Both views are wrong. The people who claim that restitution is no longer relevant in our present day dispensation maintain that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). They say that there is no need to re-visit sins that has been forgiven. To those who belong to this school of thought, the question is, is morally right for a thief who now claims to be born again to still be using stolen properties or money, when their rightful owners are alive and perhaps impoverished by the stealing? If a person continues to keep and use stolen properties, maintain wrong relationships, keep malice against others, what then is the evidence that he has repented? What is the evidence that he is a new creature in Christ when he is still enjoying the products of his past sinful life? What will be the reaction of the owners of those things when they see him using their things though he claims to be born again? Can he boldly walk up to such people and preach to them? The worse could be imagined if he takes such action. Restitution helps to solve all these problems. The fact is, when we commit sin, we not only sin against God but our fellow humans. Sin is a violation of God’s law and a form of injustice to other people. Salvation however, helps us to clear our account before God and through justification by faith, God declares us guiltless and free from all sins. Restitution, therefore, is a way of clearing our accounts with the people who were affected by our past wrong deeds. So, Restitution is a key element and a clear evidence of a repented life.
Readiness to restore stolen properties to their rightful owners and apologize to those hurt by our actions is a sure evidence of our genuine conversion. “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be no blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution. If he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Exodus 22:1-3). We understand here that God takes making restitution so seriously and all those who have restitution to make should seek for every good and legitimate means to make right all their wrongs.
Jesus Christ in all His messages never preached against restitution. He said clearly ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). He taught that making amends with whomever we have wronged is just as important as making peace with God. “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy thy brother hat ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy away; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-25). I therefore dare to say by these passage read that, God is not interested in our worship if we have any strained relationship in our life which needs reconciliation and for which we have not made our best effort to do.
The Bible is replete with instances where people made restitution and gives us a guide as to how to go about the practice as well. Abraham, Abimelech, Zaccheus and Paul among others were example of those who made restitution in the Bible. Restitution is still relevant today, It should be noted that proper spiritual guidance should be sought in addition to fervent prayers when dealing with complex and complicated case of restitution.
Summarily, restitution is not a teaching meant for new converts alone but for every believer ; it should be a continuous life time practice throughout our Christian journey.
Thanks and God bless.
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All Bible passages are from Kings James Version
