Text: Exodus 22:1-3
Memory verse:
”Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Restitution is another aspect of confession that is often overlooked by some believers today. They claim that believers are no longer under the law and, therefore, are not subject to the law. Some also claim that since believers are new creatures, Jesus has cleared their past accounts, and they don’t have to be concerned about anything they did in the past anymore.
Now, both arguments are not of sound doctrines. Firstly, Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. ”“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill“ ‭‭ (Matt‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬). Secondly, being a new creation in Christ lays on you a higher responsibility of living the life that you profess. Restitution is a practical demonstration of a changed life.
What is restitution? It is an act of putting right what has been done wrongly. It is the way of having peace with all men and proving your inner transformation. Most often, we commit sin not only against God but against other persons. When we confess our faith in the Lord Jesus, we are justified, that is, salvation
clears our account before God, as God declares us guiltless and free from all sins. However, restitution is a way of clearing our accounts with the people who were affected by our past wrong deeds. Restitution is clear evidence of a repented life. For example, a clear evidence of a repented thief is the readiness to restore stolen properties to their rightful owners and to apologize to those hurt by his actions. Contrarily, his genuine conversion will be questioned if he still holds to those items. Aside from Zacchaeus, who made restitution, according to our text, Abimelech restored Abraham’s wife, Sarah, to him (Gen 20:14). Joseph’s brother confessed the evil they did and prostrated before Joseph.
Restitution is to be a result of salvation and not a requirement for it. It is faith in the atoning works of Jesus Christ that brings forgiveness and not restitution. It is not faith in Christ plus restitution!
Friends, even though restitution is not required for salvation, it is a witness of your repentance and genuine salvation.

Prayer points
1. Father, please open my understanding to any area of my life where I need to make restitution in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let my lifestyle witness to my genuine salvation in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I am saved, and I prove my genuine salvation by restoring all that I took or did wrongly.
2. Salvation clears my account before God, but restitution clears my account before man.