Blog Archive

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Restitution


"When you live in the past, it costs you the present."
~ Carol Baird

Restitution
#encouragement

"When a man or woman commits any sin ... he shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged. But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the LORD ..."
~ Numbers 5:6-8 (NKJV)

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)


The Lord’s law given through Moses directed that restitution include additional damages. He also provided not only that restitution be paid to a surviving relative, but that in the absence of one restitution be made to God—for He owns all people and therefore all debt, and God has no statute of limitations after which no restitution is appropriate.

In Jesus we may obtain forgiveness for sin itself. But like Zacchaeus, in our freedom from sin’s debt we realize the desire to also restore others. If restitution for past sin can be made, it is fitting to do so.

When one considers all the trespasses for which one might pay restitution, the past becomes an oppressive burden too heavy to bear. But our compassionate Deliverer makes allowance for restitution which time or distance or resources prevent making. He allows us to pay to Him the restitution which sets us fully free from the past. (And when we forgive others, we are likewise set free from being debt holders by releasing collection to God.)

How is restitution paid to God? Like the hymn author who gratefully recognized the great and amazing grace he’d received, each of us can say, "Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be."

It is a debt paid back in love.

Father God, we thank You for making allowance for ALL the debt of our sin. Thank You for the precious blood of Your Son, for which we cannot too often express our gratitude. Thank You for granting freedom so fully. Thank You for compelling of us our debt of love with Your love.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to
BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you seems so insignificant to say for all He has done for me.

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  2. Your posts sing each day Anne. What a spectacular gift you have. Thank you for sharing it with us so freely. Your love for Him overflows so beautifully. I am praying for you each day.

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  3. The currency of love is amazingly dynamic. Thank you, Anne.

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  4. I don't understand God needing merely our love. But I'm glad it's not my role to understand, but to love.
    ~ Wendy

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  5. I just sat down and wrote out an abbreviated version of my personal testimony for a couple of hours last night. This is a very appropriate thought for me this morning.

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  6. Denise, EVERYthing is insignificant next to His grace ~ save love.

    T. Anne, there are no words to convey how deeply grateful I am for your prayers. I thank You and ask the Lord Himself to return the kindness to you tenfold.

    Russell, the dynamics of love as currency (based on what Paul calls a debt of love) are something I'm learning about daily. I read recently that the most powerful love language is prayer. I'm still grappling with how we spend these things, yet remain bound by them.

    Wendy, there's a C&W Christian ballad called "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" that beautifully captures the essence of this. The only thing we have that God doesn't already own is our freely given love, so it's the only thing we can truly give.

    Rosslyn, I wrote this yesterday and wasn't even thinking about it today when it came back and slapped me in the face just a bit ago. So odd how the Lord times things--yes?

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  7. I often tell people we are absolutely freed from sin because of the cross of Christ. Then I would ask them this question, "Have you done anything today to appreciate Him for that?" Sometimes I need to ask that too on my myself. Tks for the post, Anne!

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  8. Freedom comes in so many forms! And we can never, ever thank Him enough. Nor should we ever forget the cost. Thx for the visit!

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