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| God restores, but should I make restitution? |
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Recently I began to compare the concepts of restoration and restitution in my mind. It seems these two words are confused and even used interchangeably by some. Do they mean the same thing?
Recalling the biblical uses of the two words, my feeling was that “restoration” means to return to an original state, a state of newness, whereas “restitution” means to make right again, or make up for some wrong.
As I happened to read in the Psalms this morning, I came across a refrain in Psalm 80:3, 7, 19: 80:3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
This passage conveyed to me that it is God who restores, not man. This also prompted me to look more broadly into what it is that God restores. I found that among other things, God restores/restored the following:
Leprous hand – Exodus 4:7
Health – 2 Kings 5:14.... Job 33:25.... Psalm 41:3.... Isaiah 38:16.... Jer 30:17
Lost lands – Isaiah 49:8.... Jer 16:15
Sanity – Daniel 4:34
Honor and splendor – Daniel 4:36.... Nahum 2:2
Purity (righteousness) – Hosea 6:2.... Job 33:26
Fellowship with God – Isaiah 49:6.... Jer 15:19.... Jer 31:18.... Lam 5:21.... Zech 10:6
Lost fortunes – Deut 30:3.... Psalm 14:7.... Psalm 126:4.... Jer 30:18
My soul – Psalm 23:3
Life – 2 Kings 8:35.... Psalm 71:20
Sight – Matt 9:30
Withered hand – 1 Kings 13:6.... Luke 6:10
Strength – 1 Pet 5:10
Everything – Matt 17:11.... Acts 3:21
Do the items in this list have anything in common? Yes, we would say they are all things that were irretrievably lost. Things that only God could restore. And when he did, does so, or will do so, he always does supernaturally. It is only God who can make things new again!
There are a few cases of man doing the restoring in the Bible. In almost all of these, however, the meaning of the word “restore” is more in line with ownership or reconstruction (rebuilding). Furthermore, in every case man used ordinary (natural) means.
The word “restitution” appears in the Bible only in the context of the Law of Moses. There is no grace or mercy in restitution. Restitution is the attempt to set things right again, purely by human effort. It’s man’s best attempt at approximating something like restoration, realizing that in this fallen world, we must all live with the consequences of our own sins as well as the sins of everyone around us. Restitution never makes sin go away, but always takes sin into account. For example:
22:3 A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. 22:4 If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.
In this passage the thief is compelled to “make it right” before God, either by returning all stolen property, or by making financial reparation, even if it means selling himself into slavery!! And in the case of animals, he is required to pay back double in order to make things right. True, it could be said that by God’s grace the thief is given the opportunity to make things right. However, God never demands that his children make things right before they will be accepted into his presence (Eph 2:8-9). Our acceptance before God is wholly by the blood of his Son!!
Fortunately for all of us, it was Jesus Christ himself who “made things right.” God himself made restitution for us, knowing that we could never do so ourselves. So it seems clear to me that there is indeed a world of difference between restoration and restitution. Given that the law has been nailed to the cross, with finality (Col. 2:13-14), there is no longer any sin which I have to make restitution for before God. Instead I am free, alive, forgiven, and restored to fellowship with my Savior. All praise to our God who restores!! |
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| Great Blog it talked to me! |
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That will preach.. Thank you so much it touch me. God Bless and Merry Christmas/
I would like your premission to print this blog and share it others. |
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Libia |
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December 16, 2007 at 12:29pm |
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| Oh Mike very very well. Great |
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| This is a great post Mike. I'm sort of in one of those mindsets where I like to Overcomplicate things So I may make a better comment later. But I just couldn't pass a chance to be one o the first people to make a comment and to star this Blog. |
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Awesome!
He is definitely a God of restoration!
I have to agree Mike. My own life is solid proof of this. In my former life, I left a trail of unfinished business, broken relationships, and debts unpaid. Yes, I have been restored to a right standing with God, and yes, I am forgiven and made new, but many of the consequences or damages that were done prior to my salvation, are still awaiting restitution.
I see in the word, that sin is no longer the issue between us and God. As you stated, our sin has been paid for. Not only ours, but the sins of the entire world. The only thing that now keeps us separated, or unrestored to God, is failing to accept the payment. It would be like having a million dollar check in your wallet but never putting it in the bank. The payment has been made but not yet redeemed.
The Word tells us that our sins no longer keep us from God. But it also says that our sins will definitely cause consequences. We become a slave of whomever we choose to obey.
I have much restitution yet to make. It is my responsibility. But Praise God, I am restored so that God sees me as pure and Holy as Adam and Eve were, before the fall!
I probably got a little carried away with this comment but your blogs always have a tendency to cause that. You made some great points here Mike.
I'll be reading this one several times again. Thanks! |
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Deb |
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December 16, 2007 at 1:42pm |
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| I am free, alive, forgiven, and restored to fellowship with my Savior. This is so true and so wonderful! Praise God! |
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Once again...
G od
R estoring
A nd
C leansing
E ntirely
Yes Mike, we were irretrievably lost, without hope or ability to have a right relationship with GOD. Yet GOD restores us.
As for restitution, well, the slate is clean. I cannot make restitution where no debt is owed.
For by grace are ye saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD.
Grace is truly amazing. |
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Jen |
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December 16, 2007 at 2:14pm |
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| Good points, Mike! |
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Good post, and I think that many that came from a "Catholic" type background think that there are still some acts that can be done to either 'earn' or 'payback' their salvation and need to remind temselves of this.
It's human nature to think we can 'pay it back' somehow...but it's utterly unpayable for us. Grace - it's freely given, undeserved and perfect in function. |
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Isn't it so comforting to know that we have nothing to prove to HIM? I try to make restitution to those ppl He leads me to if needed, but I can never make restitution to HIM. What could I offer? Only my life. He gave His Son freely & all He asked for is my love & belief in Him so that I may not perish but have ever lasting life.
Restoration is done in its best by the Lord. We can attempt to make restoration, but truly it is the love force coming from our Father, through us, that makes it effective.
Being spirit led is the most important thing. Do whatever He says to do, for we know not how He may cause it to work for our good.
Nice research Mike. The Lord wants us to have knowledge of words. There's another blogger doing a research of words too, here lately. I appreciate the understanding of words.
Have a blessed day,
Shannon |
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| Got me thinking my friend. Overall, good blog! |
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| So if I am going bonkers, then praise God! He restores sanity! That one jumped out at me. lol But seriously, great blog. The Lord is the Great Restorer and i know so. |
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THIS CAME TO MIND AFTER READING YOUR BLOG:
Isaiah 43When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place 1-4 But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. 5-7"So don't be afraid: I'm with you.
I'll round up all your scattered children,
pull them in from east and west.
I'll send orders north and south:
'Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands,
my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name,
every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory,
yes, personally formed and made each one.'" 8-13Get the blind and deaf out here and ready—
the blind (though there's nothing wrong with their eyes)
and the deaf (though there's nothing wrong with their ears).
Then get the other nations out here and ready.
Let's see what they have to say about this,
how they account for what's happened.
Let them present their expert witnesses
and make their case;
let them try to convince us what they say is true.
"But you are my witnesses." God's Decree.
"You're my handpicked servant
So that you'll come to know and trust me,
understand both that I am and who I am.
Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,
nor will there be after me.
I, yes I, am God.
I'm the only Savior there is.
I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed
long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.
And you know it, you're my witnesses,
you're the evidence." God's Decree.
"Yes, I am God.
I've always been God
and I always will be God.
No one can take anything from me.
I make; who can unmake it?" |
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Grant |
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December 16, 2007 at 7:10pm |
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| There is an aspect of this not so far covered in the discussion. Certainly, as far as heaven is concerned, it is covered. But, what about our earthly responsibilities? We do have the responsibility to make reparations for wrongs, pay debts owed, and generally be responsible for the consequences of our actions. For instance, if I damage someone else's car either by sin or accident, I have a Christian responsibility to make restitution. It can however, get rather complicated. For instance, how do we make restitution for the grievous wrongs of former generations during European settlement? |
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<b>Grant</b> - personal responsiblity is one thing, and it should be taken as PERSONAL. The point I think I take from this post is this: My efforts to 'make right' with a person or group of people based on my sins, shortcomings or wrongdoings has ZERO effect on whether or not God forgives me. If I hit someone's car, using your example, and it was the result of a sinful action, as long as God forgives me, there is a great freedom in knowing that I should want to apologize to that person, but their forgiveness is not tied to my "good graces" with God. As I said ,we often get mixed messages because of the ways of the world - where ideas of 'earning' our forgiveness, or that 'karma' is involved. As far as the issue of 'former generations' - I refuse to believe that I am responsible for the sins of my fathers. That idea is once again that of this world, that a wordly debt can, like an inheritance, be carried through generations. The only inheritance I was born with was original sin, and through Christ's sacrifice and my faith in Him, that's been paid. :) |
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Wow! I am jumping in here kinda late, but what great comments all, a joy to read! (Thank you!)
In my mind, it is a grave mistake to think that God demands that we make some sort of restitution in order to become acceptable to him. With that huge burden hanging over some believers' heads, it's no wonder they doubt their salvation and just want to throw in the towel!!! Restitution = law. Spiritually, the Law of Moses. Civically, the laws we live by. (If you break your neighbor's window, fix it or pay for it, and you will remain acceptable in the eyes of your neighbor, his friends, and the law.) If you run into a Christian who says you have to DO something to right some wrong in your life (or someone else's) before you're acceptable to God, run from that person! You've just had a close encounter with a legalist!!
And if they say you have to restore something (anything) before God will accept you, you can now gently remind them that it's actually God who does the restoring, not us. Unless we're talking about that '68 Camaro in your garage! |
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| Grant, your comment wasn't there when I began typing mine (about the window breaking thing). I agree with you. And GIF (Growing in...) makes an excellent point too, which brings us back to the point I was trying to make in the blog. |
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Right on, Overcomer (Kim)!! A right understanding of God's acceptance of us (salvation is a gift, not to be earned) has been mistaken for license as far back as apostolic times! It's radical, why do we think those who looked to have the best chance of earning God's favor crucified our Lord???
The Holy Spirit will lead us to right the wrongs (restitution), once we've been restored to fellowship with God! :-) |
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Hello Mike,
Before I allowed myself to be tripped up by man's doctrine... I knew this. Thanks for writing this because the life that Jesus Christ has given me has not been a lie! He has done things 'spiritually' for me and through me. HE has touched others through me with the gifts that He has given me, and He has mercifully ministered to and loved me...though I did not deserve it.
I stand on His Salvation.
I thank God for you and Laura.
Forgiven. |
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Glenn |
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December 17, 2007 at 9:26am |
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Mike once again you hit Grace right on the head. We can't make restitution in God's eyes, that is why Jesus had to die, so we could live restored before our God! Thanks for your insight.
peace |
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Thanks Glenn! Grace is one of the concepts I have a very good understanding of. This is because I am in such great need of it! :-)
Cathy (Forgiven), I'm glad you enjoyed reading this. Very often, "man's doctrine" is a very legalistic doctrine. Legalism is very insidious, and usually begins (I think) with a sincere desire to please the Lord and to see others please him as well. However, at some point the laws that were meant to bring us to Christ end up becoming more important than Christ himself.
Thank you for your post, Mary. I see being "redeemed" as being very similar to being "restored".
Thank you restore (love the name!), Jeremy, Lara (w/o the 'u'), Doyle, Cheryl, Libia, Jen, Dave, Deb, and Gordon (apureheart)!!
Michael, I love your personal testimonies of God's restoration of your life - keep posting brother! Good analogy with the check.
Shannon, "comforting" doesn't even begin to describe the feeling when one realizes that restitution for a lifetime of wrongs is not required! Amen sis! |
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Ragland |
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December 17, 2007 at 6:58pm |
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| This is a deep subject Mike! I need to read this many times to understand the subject. |
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Mike-
Before I was saved I stole some money and it has always been on my heart to go to them and repay them plus some and share my faith. I am going to follow what is on my heart but wanted to hear your opinion. I know I am forgiven but are you saying we don't have to make restitution because Christ has done that for us? I don't believe I have to do that to be restored to God, I just feel led to do it and I'm sure it will be a great evangelistic opportunity.
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Jeff, you are being led by the Holy Spirit to make "restitution", that is more powerful than any written code! And yes, an amazing evangelistic opportunity. Such an act has the power to leave someone scratching their heads and thinking, only the Spirit of God!
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts." (Jeremiah 31:33) |
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Glenn |
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December 18, 2007 at 9:54am |
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Mike, just one question...do you ever sleep ?
peace |
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Gene |
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December 18, 2007 at 9:56pm |
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Well, we all know that nobody can earn their way to heaven. However, saying that we have faith and then not acting upon what God calls us to do will earn us a trip to someplace rather toasty. The reason and the context for doing things matters tremendously.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ only faith working through love counts for anything [NIV?]
LK 6:46 "Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? [NIV] Rom 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. [KJV] Rom 2:5-6 "... God; who will render to every man according to his deeds." [KJV] Rev 3:15 "I know your works, and because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth". So now read about Zaccaeus: LK 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. LK 19:7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a `sinner.' " LK 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." LK 19:9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." [NIV] So in my mind restitution not only helps fix some of the practical consequences of sin, it moves us closer to Christ after we sin. Restitution is not something we do for God. It is something we do for others and for ourselves. It is doing something right that we should have done in the first place. Gene |
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Mike, you have beautifully explained the concepts of restoration and restitution. However, I want to add my own thoughts here. Restitution can be a human act. A child of God, on repentance, restitutes what he has stolen from another person. Here, he is definitely led by the Holy Spirit. There are many testimonies wherein we can find how the Holy Spirit led the repentant sinners to return the stolen things to the original owners or to seek forgiveness from those who have been wounded by the repentant sinner on new birth.
You have stated as follows:
"Fortunately for all of us, it was Jesus Christ himself who “made things right.” God himself made restitution for us, knowing that we could never do so ourselves. So it seems clear to me that there is indeed a world of difference between restoration and restitution. Given that the law has been nailed to the cross, with finality (Col. 2:13-14), there is no longer any sin which I have to make restitution for before God. Instead I am free, alive, forgiven, and restored to fellowship with my Savior. All praise to our God who restores!!..."
When we are restored by God through His grace into His Kingdom, we have to do the business of restitution with whom we have wronged or cheated. Restoration and restitution are interwoven. We cannot separate the human act of restitution by our human act from restoration, the act of God for our salvation. Yes, law has been nailed to the cross and we have been restored to God. Suppose, a murderer convicted for life imprisonment undergoing his sentence in a jail gets saved on hearing the glorious gospel. He is now being restored to God. Immediately the Holy Spirit convicts of his sins. He sends a word to the wife of the man who was murdered by him seeking her forgiveness. This act of his is of restitution.
After being restored to God, we have to lead a life pleasing to God. We cannot go back to our sinful life. If we fall into the sin, of course, God forgives us through the Blood of Jesus Christ and restores us to Him if we confess our sins. After being restored to God, we have to lead a holy life. I cannot just lead the same life which I led before my conversion or salvation. All things become new for me.
Restitution, though a human act, is inspired by the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Restoration and restitution are the two sides of the coin of salvation.
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Job, thanks for your comment, you make some good points. Though I might clarify a couple of things. I agree that restoration and restitution are interwoven, to the degree that the indwelling Holy Spirit leads the believer to desire to right any wrongs that may be on their conscience. This is a very good point. We can't claim to be a Christian and yet let those we've clearly wronged think that we are indifferent to them!
On the other hand, to say that "we have to do the business of restitution" is to substitute yourself for the law that has been nailed to the tree. What's the difference if "laws" and regulations come from a book or a person? Paul's worst enemies were not the Gnostics or pagans, but so-called believers in God who followed him around from place to place preaching legalism (Phil 3:2, 1 Tim1:7, Gal 5:12).
Yes, restitution certainly can be a human act. But that human act does not make us right before God, it makes us right before man. Think about that.
And once restored to right relationship w/God, our good deeds don't stop at making restitution for our wrongs against others. The Spirit leads us to do many things pleasing to God. So I wouldn't limit salvation to a two-sided coin. |
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Dear Mike, Thanks. I used the word "business" because we are supposed to make restitutions. This act does not follow from any law at all. It comes out of my heart due to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. The Holy Spirit convicts me of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. This act of restitution is very important for my Christian walk. I have to forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. I have to return the stolen things to the rightful owners. Zachhias came forward to do the business of restitution when Jesus met him and Jesus told him that the salvation had come to him. Restitution is part of salvation. Though we are saved by His grace, we are to set our relations right with our spouses, our loved ones, our friends, etc. |
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Job, for the most part I completely agree with you. Especially this- "It comes out of my heart due to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life." This is a very intimate thing between Father and child (believer).
You cited the example of Zacchaeus, an excellent example! I have a question for you. What motivated Zacchaeus to make restitution to all the people he cheated? Did Jesus list the steps Zacchaeus needed to take to make things right, or point out the laws Zacchaeus had broken? No, it appears that Zacchaeus recognized the Lord and his conscience (heart) changed as a result. Period.
Thus restitution is a matter for the believer to work out with the Holy Spirit, in order to set things right with his fellow man. |
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|  | Dear Mike, Thanks for your enlightened views in the matter which I deeply appreciate. I believe we learn from one another in the Body of Christ. Zacchaeus made the restitution only after he accepted the Lord in his life. If Zacchaeus had not made the restitution, he would not have received the gift of salvation from the Lord. Similarly, restitution becomes obligatory on our part when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. In other words, salvation would not be complete for me if I do not restitute. When God restores me to His grace on my repentance of the sin, I am restored to the same spiritual position that existed before I had committed the sin. Then I have to set things right with others whom I had wronged through my sin. If you take time to read the biography of Sunderapandian, a servant of God in South India, at the following URL, you will find how he repented of his sins by restitution. http://sounderapandian.googlepages.com
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Job,
I appreciate your views too! However I respectfully disagree with some of the things you have to say.
"If Zacchaeus had not made the restitution, he would not have received the gift of salvation from the Lord."
It seems to directly contradict this foundational truth of salvation- "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Job, restitution = works, plain and simple.
"restitution becomes obligatory"
Job, you state this as if it was codified in some book of laws. I've never seen this, are you adding it to scripture? Where in the Bible does it say the Christian must make everything right with everyone he's sinned against before he can recieve the gift of salvation?
"When God restores me to His grace on my repentance of the sin, I am restored to the same spiritual position that existed before I had committed the sin."
Job, it seems to me that we are not restored to the way we were before we sinned, but rather God restores our spirit to the way he intended it from the beginning, even brefore we were born.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17)
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." (Gal 6:15)
ps... Job, I deleted your original comment and reposted the portion that was written by you. You posted the link to Sunderapandian's testimony which enables us to find it, I would rather the entire text not be posted to my blog. Thanks for helping me keep this easy to read! |
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Mike, Thanks. It is good that you have deleted the lengthy text since I have given the link. Restitution flows from the act of repentance. Until and unless I repent of my sins, I will not receive the gift of salvation. If I am saved by faith, I have to activate that faith. Faith without action is dead. The devil also believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But the demons do not repent of their sins whereas we, the human beings, are given the opportunity to repent. I do agree that I am not saved by works. But restitution does not form part of "works" at all. It flows from the act of repentance. I just want to clarify what I had written earlier regarding restoration to grace. The words "before I committed the sin" refer to that period of time before I was conceived in sin in my mother's womb. As a baby I would not have committed the sin. When I became conscious of the sin in my life, the sin entangled me. Though I was conceived in sin in my mother's womb, I started committing the act of sin when I received the knowedge of the sin. When I get saved on hearing the gospel and repent of my sins, I am being restored to that period of time in my life when I had not committed the sin or when I had not received the knowledge of the sin. A baby or a child when he dies does not go to hell. Mike, I do agree that I become a new creation in Christ when I am saved. This new creation does not allow me to commit the sin at all. Even if I commit the sin, I am convicted of the sin by the Holy Spirit and I am being restored to grace i.e. I am being restored to that period of time before I had committed the sin. Hope I have now explained my views very clearly. I do agree that circumcision or following the Law of Moes saves me from the sin. It is only grace that saves me from the sin. |
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Job, we're going to have to agree to disagree then, dear brother. As far as I'm concerned, making restitution is works. True, James said faith w/o works is dead, but brother James did not specify which works! He didn't say every wrong must be righted. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us to make restitution in certain cases (e.g. Zacchaeus). There are many wrongs that simply will never be righted (e.g. David could not bring Uriah back to life). We can't right them all. God makes allowances for our sin (Mark 10:5), while we live in this body of sin, on this corrupt earth. We (indeed all of creation) groans in anticipation of complete redemption (Rom 8:21-23).
The idea that restitution is required before one can be saved is repulsive to the grace of God. |
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Job, you might also check out these blogs, which also touch on the subject of works salvation.
What if free really meant free
A question of what motivates us
The sin of legalism is particularly insidious, and has repeatedly threatened to rob believers of the great joy we've been offered in Christ since the time of the apostles. ~mike |
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Mike, With all respects, I want to conclude that restitution which follows repentance is not of works at all. It has nothing to do with legalisam too. You have said that James did not specify which works. Please read James 2:15 to 20. If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you tells them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body..... even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Faith has to be shown in action in the same manner we show our love in action towards our brothers and sisters who are in need. Please read verse 19 which says that the devils also believe that there is one God and tremble. But the devil do not believe in the one God by their works because they commit wickedness. If we believe in Jesus and repent, our repentance should bring forth fruits. REPENTANCE IS NOT ACT OF WORKS. TRUE REPENTANCE LEADS TO SALVATION. REPENTANCE IS THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION BY FAITH. |
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True Job, restitution which follows repentance is not "works" salvation. But the moment you make restitution a requirement for salvation, you've made it a matter of "law", rather than grace. That is the essence of legalism! Take away the heart's desire to please God and make it a requirement for earning God's favor.
I AGREE with you Job, when you say "If we believe in Jesus and repent, our repentance should bring forth fruits. REPENTANCE IS NOT ACT OF WORKS. TRUE REPENTANCE LEADS TO SALVATION. REPENTANCE IS THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION BY FAITH." But the fact is (as I stated), James DOES NOT specify which works constitute a faith that is alive. True, he gives us some examples. But that was not meant to be a comprehensive list, or else it too would replace grace with a new set of laws. Restitution can (and often does) spring from faith, but God forbid that we make it a requirement.
Thanks for your zeal for God, brother Job. Please forgive me if the words I've typed convey a zeal which you interpret as intolerance towards your point of view. Legalism hurts real believers, the poor and weary, and legalism actually drives many from Christ rather than toward him. I may be a bit oversensitive, as I've been victimized by legalism just as many other brothers/sisters have. I praise God for the freedom he has given me, and will defend it from here all the way to the pearly gates! :-) |
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Pastor Mike, thank you for your wonderful reply. I hold the view that restitution is a part of the salvation process and that it has nothing to do with works meant for salvation.
Thanks for your patience.
Christmas greetings to you and your dear family. May the Lord bless all of you during this Christmas season. |
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| God bless you too Job, and merry Christmas dear brother! |
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Carolyn |
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December 24, 2007 at 6:52am |
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Hey Mike, I've been reading all these writings to your blog, and WOW! I would just like to put in my 2 cents, for what it's worth. When I got saved (by the grace of God), He instilled it in my heart to make restitution where possible to people I had wronged. In other words, He gave me a new heart. Because of my new heart, my desire is to make things right (which was not the case before Jesus saved me). God has placed me on the Potter's wheel and He is molding me and making me a new creation in Him and He's not done with me yet. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.
I sure love your blogs. It is very clear to me that you certainly have a heart for God. |
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Hi Carolyn! (you just caught me online, hehe)
Thanks for your comment!! Your experience is mine too, basically once I was saved (restored) God led me to make things right (restitution) with the people I've wronged wherever possible. I praise God for you and your lovely example of being Spirit-led. God bless you and merry Christmas!!
~mike |
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JessIAm |
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December 24, 2007 at 1:07pm |
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Given that the law has been nailed to the cross, with finality (Col. 2:13-14), there is no longer any sin which I have to make restitution for before God.
Amen! I totally agree with this, when it comes to dealing with God.
I'd like to introduce a related topic whith is a little outside of the blog. When it comes to dealing with people, though restitution must be persued. I think the law of moses makes this institutionallized, which is never a bad thing to do (legalism comes from the people invovled, not the laws involved). |
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Dear JessIAm, I just want to add that restitution is not a sacrifice for any sin committed by us. The Blood of Jesus Christ is the final and only atonement for any sin. Restitution follows repentance. It is not a prerequisite for salvation. It has nothing to do with the Law of Moses or legalism. Job Anbalagan |
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JessIAm |
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December 25, 2007 at 9:55pm |
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| Thanks for pointing that out Job. I should explain my comment was only concerned with restitution between people, not restitution with God. |
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I wonder what would happen if people started believing the whole bible, instead of just the parts that make them comfortable. Funny that everyone can agree on Adam and what happened in the garden, but from there until you get to Matthew it appears that there is a huge schizm in the body of Christ as to what one should believe regarding the whole bible. I don't know--my bible contains the Mosaic law--I wonder why? If I choose to believe that it's there for my instruction, for my reproof, for my edification that makes me a legalist? Gee. That's pretty harsh. I hope we'll all get along in heaven...or maybe we'll have our own suburbs; Grace Gardens and Legalist Lane. Heehee! |
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