Originally posted: 03/12/2019
The theme of restitution is emphasized with the repeated use of four key words: “if,” “shall,” “restitution,” and “pay double.”
The LORD was establishing the foundation for community; “if” His people were to live in right relationship with their God and each other, they “shall” commit to make “restitution,” and when warranted, to “pay double.” This would both require and demonstrate reliance upon His Grace.
Consider His Grace through Restitution
Restitution: the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner; recompense for injury or loss; the restoration of something to its original state.
“If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry… And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious,” (22:23, 27)
“You shall be holy men to Me,” (22:31).
His Grace through Restitution restores peace between man and man.
His Grace through Restitution provokes intentional consideration of others.
His Grace through Restitution provides relief from a guilty conscience.
His Grace through Restitution reveals a life yielded to holiness.
How should we respond to His Grace through Restitution?
God’s creation, in its original states, was very good.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them… 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good… (Genesis 2:26, 27, 31)
But when man disobeyed God’s commands, sin and death entered the world
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned, (Romans 5:12).
And Restitution was needed!
Restitution: the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner; recompense for injury or loss; the restoration of something to its original state.
Sin had stolen mankind from its Proper Owner; but there is no recompense that we can offer for ourselves. It is Christ and Christ alone, Who Is Able to restore us to our original state.
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous, (Romans 5:18-19).
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them, (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Oh, may we live as those who have been made righteous by Him; that we would walk in His good works prepared in His Grace through His Restitution.
- Let us be deliberate in making amends quickly with our brothers and sisters in Christ so that nothing impedes our fellowship and worship. Spend time in prayer asking the Lord to bring to mind any we may we have offended, whether intentionally or accidentally.
- “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering,” (Matthew 5:23-24).
- Let us commit to treat others with the very grace we have received from God, with a willingness to make restitution whenever needed, in the same way we would want to be repaid .
- “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 7:12).
- When we sin against others, we sin against God. In our own means we cannot possibly make restitution to Holy God; He Himself has provided the way. Through the sacrifice of Jesus our sins have been forgiven, and when received by faith we are cleansed from sin and set free from the guilt.
- Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight… (Psalm 51:4). - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…(Ephesians 1:7).
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, (1 John 1:9).
- Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, (Hebrews 10:22).
- Against You, You only, I have sinned
- Oh, may we live yielded to His holiness, that we would become vessels of His Grace through His Restitution, and fervently love one another.
- Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins, (1 Peter 4:8).