DCLM Higher Everyday 30 August 2024 — Reasons For Restitution
DCLM Higher Everyday 30 August 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Reasons For Restitution
Topic: Reasons For Restitution
Text: Luke 19:1-10
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Key Verse: “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8).
Message
The Collins Dictionary defines restitution as one, “the act of giving back something that has been lost or stolen;” two, “the act of compensating for loss or injury by reverting as far as possible to the position before such injury occurred;” and three, the return of an object or system to its original state, especially a restoration of shape after elastic deformation.” This three-layer definition of restitution provides a clear picture of what restitution entails in the Christian faith. Restitution is important because it shows how repentance and conversion come with a broken and contrite spirit. The example of Zacchaeus in the Bible demonstrates that becoming a disciple of Christ requires restoring to others what has been taken wrongfully.
Restitution concretizes repentance and it also makes people around you to know about the grace of God which could help you to be desirous of amending your ways. Seek to amend your ways today by restoring things taken from others wrongfully and by restoring peaceful relationship with those you offended. Seek counsel from mature believers to handle cases that may implicate others.
Quote: Restitution concretizes repentance
Challenge: Restitution is important.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to do all necessary restitutions.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
