DCLM Higher Everyday 25 October 2023 — Remember your restitution
Topic: Remember your restitution
Text — Luke 19:1-10
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
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
Corrie Ten Boom states that, “Four marks of true repentance are: acknowledgment of wrong, willingness to confess it, willingness to abandon it, and willingness to make restitution.” Restitution is a process of compensation for loss or injury, or making amends for wrongs done to people. It also means restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back to where one has defrauded, and apologising to those we hurt or slandered so as to have a conscience free from offence toward God and man.
Making restitution is a proof that we have the right relationship with God and man. As a mark of your true repentance and genuine salvation, God requires you to make amends with any person you have wronged or injured. There is need for every Christian to be ready to do restitution either for deliberate offence or error of judgment. Would you say you have a free conscience? If not, pray to God to help you make your ways right before Him and man today. Your eternal life depends on this.
Quote: Make amends.
Challenge: Without restitution, your salvation is incomplete.
Prayer for today: Almighty Jehovah, grant me the grace to restitute, in Jesus’ name.
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)
