Restitution

Numbers 5-6; Psalms 22; Acts 26 

“…’When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged.’”

Numbers 5:6, 7

This was the highest ethical standard of the day and it is still the foundation for our laws in the western world today. Violations and wrongs against another person are wrongs against both that person and the Lord. Restitution must be made to the wronged party, and in the absence of any wronged party or relative, restitution is made to the Lord. Our sin is against the Lord. In the western world this has been secularized to a crime against the state. It was for this reason that Jesus came as God’s offer of forgiveness for our sin. Instead of restitution for each crime, Christ came to pay our sin-penalty before God. While our crimes against the state still require payment, we can live in a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Is God inviting us to repent for sin in our lives, or to make restitution toward others?

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy and forgiveness in my life, for your glory.”