since Jesus didn't really ask zacheus to do it,he's already been saved before he restituted;I'd say that restitution is one of the things that comes to your mind after salvation,it's a sign that you've let go of your obsession of the world and you're now a new person irrespective of what people think,to the standard of the world,it's necessary and it does please God too since Jesus didn't really stop zacheus when he did it.

Scholar8200:
Of course, in order to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men!

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23,24

If we dont do this, Jesus said we are building on sand!

I believe this was before his death. Our sins were yet to be paid for.

Scholar8200:
Of course, in order to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men!

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23,24

If we dont do this, Jesus said we are building on sand!

This got me thinking if anyone could make heaven at all...

freecocoa:
The most important thing is to ask for forgiveness. if I can do just that and be forgiven, why waste time/resources with restitution?

Nice signature

izzou:



Wow

So restitution is a choice according to you?

Well done. Keep misleading people.

It is a must.

Lets look at it this way.
I steal someone's property. I then beg God for forgiveness of which he forgives me, then if i LIKE, just as you said, i could go and return it or apologise.

Does this makes sense to you? Jesus said if you dont forgive others, he would never forgive you.

Why does Christ need your forgiveness in order to forgive you?

Restitution is a must. Its such a pity our super mega churches dont preach this .

What restitution did David offered or Rahab or Paul (after his conversion)

Yes, she should do restitution of anything and everything illegally acquired and immorally received.
Was that not what Zacchaeus promised to do before Jesus Christ gave him salvation?

Jeel:
Restitution basically is paying for your wrongs.

So as a Christian today should we restitute?

Pls support your stand with cogent reasons and scriptures if possible. Thank you!

First, let me say you're wrong about restitution being 'basically' PRAYING. Restitution goes beyond praying. In simple terms, it means righting the wrong.

It requires acting and going extra miles in correcting something that has been done in the past due to ignorance or lack of understanding.

Luke 19:1-10

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a `sinner.'"

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."

Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Why is restitution encouraged? It is a public manifestation that you have given your heart to our Lord and have accepted Him publicly in your heart.

Restitution is a very hard thing to do. Grace, however, is all we can ask for because embarking on restitution on one's accord is a suicide mission.

Lifestone:

What restitution did David offered or Rahab or Paul (after his conversion)

What meal did paul have after his conversion?

That how your question sounds

The bible may not have given us day to day details of what these men did but Christ virtually briefed us during his time

The prodigal son came back home to seek for forgiveness. Christ expects you to do the same to your fellow man. Even if you dont have whatever you took again, go and make peace and seek forgiveness with the man.

I understand how our churches these days have turned into prosperity and motivational centres, but James 4:17-Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin

danowena:
I believe this was before his death. Our sins were yet to be paid for.

So after His death paying for your sins, you are free to sin abi?
What then is the essence of being a follower of Jesus Christ in words and works if you continue to sin? Do you mean that our Lord was also a sinner hence you continue in that way?
Did Apostle Paul not write that we cannot dwell in sin and expect grace to abound?
Who are we deceiving but ourselves?

Once a person acknowledges their sins and asks for God's forgiveness, they receive the eternal life from God. According to John 3. 3, all that's needed to make it to God's Kingdom is to be born again. But for the sake of having a conscience void of offence towards God and especially towards humans, it's just imperative that we should endeavour to make amends where we have done wrongs others, collected what doesn't belong to us.


When I became born again, it was even fun going back to my parents to seek their forgiveness for all the missing meats from the pot, missing naira notes I stole from them. It wasn't even an issue; I simply enjoyed doing it. In some cases, I literally returned the money back to my parents but they didn't take it; they were amazed at my convictions and forgave me. That's the way it ought to be.

However, there are some kind of restitution that will require the guidance of experienced brethren, and it's my belief that in some terrible cases, we simply ask God for His forgiveness and move on. For instance, if you have had a carnal act with another man's wife, how do you go to make amend in that case? Do you think the cheated man will forgive you? Don't you think it will lead to a chain of evil repercussions? Wisdom is profitable to direct.

As a genuine Christian, let's endeavour to make amends where necessary. We need to have a clear conscience before our fellow men also. But we must apply wisdom where necessary.

izzou:


What meal did paul have after his conversion?

That how your question sounds

The bible may not have given us day to day details of what these men did but Christ virtually briefed us during his time

The prodigal son came back home to seek for forgiveness. Christ expects you to do the same to your fellow man. Even if you dont have whatever you took again, go and make peace and seek forgiveness with the man.

I understand how our churches these days have turned into prosperity and motivational centres, but James 4:17-Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin

Your example above isn't restitution in the context of the OP. What you illustrated is seeking peace with whom you've offended of which I don't have a problem , even that have to be done with lots of wisdom not to cause more offense. For instance how do you restitute with a man you committed adultery with his wife?
Restitution should lead to you restoring the other party to the state of the original if not better, like zack the tax man, in some instances it's simply impossible, so restitution cannot be a condition for salvation

Lifestone:

Your example above isn't restitution in the context of the OP. What you illustrated is seeking peace with whom you've offended of which I don't have a problem , even that have to be done with lots of wisdom not to cause more offense. For instance how do you restitute with a man you committed adultery with his wife?
Restitution should lead to you restoring the other party to the state of the original if not better, like zack the tax man, in some instances it's simply impossible, so restitution cannot be a condition for salvation

A man you committed adultery with his wife? Why cant you make restitution?

Restitution is righting the wrong. It must be done. Until you get to the point where it is simply impossible, you must try to do it. I didnt say its a condition for salvation. I only responded to the op that said its if you like.

Even if you dont like, do it

izzou:


A man you committed adultery with his wife? Why cant you make restitution?

Restitution is righting the wrong. It must be done. Until you get to the point where it is simply impossible, you must try to do it. I didnt say its a condition for salvation. I only responded to the op that said its if you like.

Even if you dont like, do it

Seems you not getting my point here, you cannot practically restitute on all issues. In some cases you cannot even if you want.E.g an armed robber that killed a person can't bring the life back. He can only confess and seek for peace and forgiveness.
On the other issues we are in agreement

promise10:

Thanks so much for opening up this thread on this issue! God bless you!

This issue of restitution is something that is getting out of hand. Restitution is GOOD. But the problem is ON WHAT GROUND are you doing the restitution.

My problem with restitution arises each time some ignorant people make it look like a requirement for salvation. And they would always use zacheus(sorry, if not spelt well) to preach it to look like a requirement for salvation, not knowing that zacheus did it FOR A REASON. And they would mischievously shy away from the criminal at the cross, woman with issue of blood, woman of samaria(the prostitute), woman of adulterer who never restituted. This is shameful!

RESTITUTION IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING SAVED!

If I am saved because I restituted, then I AM THE SAVIOUR and not jesus christ because it is MY OWN GOODNESS. But if I am saved because Jesus died ON MY BEHALF, took the punishment of my sins ON MY BEHALF and FREELY declare HIS PERSONAL righteousness on me, then there is no doubt that he TOTALLY SAVES! We have to agree on one thing, which is that restitution is a GOOD WORK.

The bible makes it clear that salvation/eternal life/righteousness of God is NOT by grace + good works, rather it is evident in the scriptures that it is all about 100% grace OR 100% perfect good works.

Romans 11:6;6 And IF by grace, then is it NO MORE OF WORKS(including restitution): OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. But if it be of works, then is it NO MORE GRACE: otherwise work is no more work.

In the above verse, paul was not saying that we should not do good works(including restitution), rather he was saying that if we receive salvation/eternal life/God's righteousness by relying on 100% God's grace, it is NO MORE by relying on our 100% perfect good works(even though no man can attain this). And that if we try to add good works to grace; as a means of getting saved, then GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE.

Why did paul say "...OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE."? To answer this you have to know that the grace of God, only through which we were saved is a gift, not a reward for good work.

Eph 2:8-9;"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:
9 NOT OF WORKS(including restitution), lest any man should boast."

Misinformed christian may say that I am preaching hyper-grace, but they don't know that God's grace on it's own is hyper. That's why it passes all understanding and imaginations, it makes one imagine. How can God...?

The grace of God which is a gift is NOT a cheap gift(which means you offered something little to EARN it), but a FREE GIFT!

Romans 5:15;"15 But not as the offence, so also is the FREE GIFT. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the FREE GIFT BY GRACE, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

So, in roms 11:6, paul was saying that if a FREE GIFT(grace) should demand your goodness, then the free gift is NO MORE a free gift.

So, if salvation/eternal life/God's righteousness/justification is given to us a FREE GIFT(grace), then it is NO MORE because of how good you are(even if you restitute). Your goodness adds NOTHING to your salvation.

I will leave you with this:
Romans 3:24 "Being justified(made righteous, saved) FREELY(not demanding your goodness/good works) by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

THE REASON FOR RESTITUTION:
The only reason why one should restitute if HE WILLS, is for the reason of self-satisfaction and not as a means of getting saved. Because salvation of the lord is a free gift. Jesus NEVER told zacheus to restitute. Zacheus did it for the reason of self-satisfaction, to prove his salvation before men. And him proving his salvation before men through restitution adds NOTHING to his salvation, because Jesus gives it out FREELY.

Bro, Without Restitution you can never make heaven. restitution means clearing of your conscience... for example, if you steal, for you to be truly saved, you need to restitute, Except that particular person you stole from leaves you surrounding and is no where to be found, then God would understand. But if the person is far, and you know where he stays, Brother you have to restitute.

How can you stay with a Clear conscience if you are born again and you are still holding your neighbour's thing? It not done that way..

Florblu:
I will simply say restitution should be based on personal conviction.

That means you haven't forgiven the person you stole from,If you forgives him/her then you call him as a brother/sister and apologise, Return all what you took from him, if not, God won't forgive you.

Lifestone:

Seems you not getting my point here, you cannot practically restitute on all issues. In some cases you cannot even if you want.E.g an armed robber that killed a person can't bring the life back. He can only confess and seek for peace and forgiveness.
On the other issues we are in agreement

I understand you

I feel the practice of restitution depends on the sin you committed. If the the effects of the sin doesn't linger, I don't think restitution is necessary. But if the negative effects linger, I feel we owe the person we wronged restitution.
Example:
-it is unnecessary returning your WAEC certificate (after many years) because you were involved in exam malpractice when you wrote it.
-but in a situation where you deceptively cornered assets belonging to your neighbor in the past thereby making it difficult for them to earn a decent living, restitution is necessary to right the wrong you did in the past.
Imho.

izzou:



Wow

So restitution is a choice according to you?

Well done. Keep misleading people.

It is a must.

Lets look at it this way.
I steal someone's property. I then beg God for forgiveness of which he forgives me, then if i LIKE, just as you said, i could go and return it or apologise.

Does this makes sense to you? Jesus said if you dont forgive others, he would never forgive you.

Why does Christ need your forgiveness in order to forgive you?

Restitution is a must. Its such a pity our super mega churches dont preach this .

What about a murderer or someone who killed by mistake? how does he do it if it's a must?
Lastly, remember that Jesus was still alive when he preached about that, he was yet to die for the sins of the world, so he was actually "teaching" the WORK aspect as at then.

Restitution is a must for genuine born again believer. Although, it can be hard to fulfill but u as a Believer have to. It completes your salvation process. U can read the following scriptures to understand better. Exodus 22:2-3, 7
Leviticus 6:1-6, 24:17-21
Numbers 5:6-7
Luke 19:8-9

Restitution is a way of correcting a wrong; restitution is a must for a christian.

promise10:

Thanks so much for opening up this thread on this issue! God bless you!

This issue of restitution is something that is getting out of hand. Restitution is GOOD. But the problem is ON WHAT GROUND are you doing the restitution.

My problem with restitution arises each time some ignorant people make it look like a requirement for salvation. And they would always use zacheus(sorry, if not spelt well) to preach it to look like a requirement for salvation, not knowing that zacheus did it FOR A REASON. And they would mischievously shy away from the criminal at the cross, woman with issue of blood, woman of samaria(the prostitute), woman of adulterer who never restituted. This is shameful!

RESTITUTION IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING SAVED!

If I am saved because I restituted, then I AM THE SAVIOUR and not jesus christ because it is MY OWN GOODNESS. But if I am saved because Jesus died ON MY BEHALF, took the punishment of my sins ON MY BEHALF and FREELY declare HIS PERSONAL righteousness on me, then there is no doubt that he TOTALLY SAVES! We have to agree on one thing, which is that restitution is a GOOD WORK.

The bible makes it clear that salvation/eternal life/righteousness of God is NOT by grace + good works, rather it is evident in the scriptures that it is all about 100% grace OR 100% perfect good works.

Romans 11:6;6 And IF by grace, then is it NO MORE OF WORKS(including restitution): OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. But if it be of works, then is it NO MORE GRACE: otherwise work is no more work.

In the above verse, paul was not saying that we should not do good works(including restitution), rather he was saying that if we receive salvation/eternal life/God's righteousness by relying on 100% God's grace, it is NO MORE by relying on our 100% perfect good works(even though no man can attain this). And that if we try to add good works to grace; as a means of getting saved, then GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE.

Why did paul say "...OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE."? To answer this you have to know that the grace of God, only through which we were saved is a gift, not a reward for good work.

Eph 2:8-9;"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:
9 NOT OF WORKS(including restitution), lest any man should boast."

Misinformed christian may say that I am preaching hyper-grace, but they don't know that God's grace on it's own is hyper. That's why it passes all understanding and imaginations, it makes one imagine. How can God...?

The grace of God which is a gift is NOT a cheap gift(which means you offered something little to EARN it), but a FREE GIFT!

Romans 5:15;"15 But not as the offence, so also is the FREE GIFT. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the FREE GIFT BY GRACE, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

So, in roms 11:6, paul was saying that if a FREE GIFT(grace) should demand your goodness, then the free gift is NO MORE a free gift.

So, if salvation/eternal life/God's righteousness/justification is given to us a FREE GIFT(grace), then it is NO MORE because of how good you are(even if you restitute). Your goodness adds NOTHING to your salvation.

I will leave you with this:
Romans 3:24 "Being justified(made righteous, saved) FREELY(not demanding your goodness/good works) by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

THE REASON FOR RESTITUTION:
The only reason why one should restitute if HE WILLS, is for the reason of self-satisfaction and not as a means of getting saved. Because salvation of the lord is a free gift. Jesus NEVER told zacheus to restitute. Zacheus did it for the reason of self-satisfaction, to prove his salvation before men. And him proving his salvation before men through restitution adds NOTHING to his salvation, because Jesus gives it out FREELY.

But those words you used for those of opposite view are too bad,though i'm not saying you're wrong with what you've explained o but your words as a christian should be carefully chosen always.what if you are the one that is not getting it.

Jeel:
Restitution basically is paying for your wrongs.

So as a Christian today should we restitute?

Pls support your stand with cogent reasons and scriptures if possible. Thank you!

Restitution is biblical. Paul have to apologised to Ananias,

holluphemydavid:

If u read Bible frequently, u will knw it's important, but not easy to do, as I said as a Christian is wot u nid to do

there isnt any where in the bible where its written that it is important(give me the chapter & verse),its just as u are led

Scholar8200:
Of course, in order to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men!

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23,24

If we dont do this, Jesus said we are building on sand!

Christ's teaching in matt 5:21-26 is about anger & resolving disputes and never about restitution

shala01:

Restitution is biblical. Paul have to apologised to Ananias,

And is that the only "sin" he committed that needed restitution?

I am using a forged certificate to work but now I am born again, should I continue to use that certificate. Should I not confess and return the certificate to the owner after I have become a christian. ?
I marry my friend wife as a second wife. After I have become born again, should I not return the wife to her owner ?

Salvation cannot be complete without Restitution.

Jeel:
Restitution basically is paying for your wrongs.

So as a Christian today should we restitute?

Pls support your stand with cogent reasons and scriptures if possible. Thank you!

We can never atone for our sins; only the blood can and has. If it matters, how about those who got a job with a falsified WAEC result, are they going to restitute and forfeit the job they now have after leaving school? How about the houses they've built from the proceed of the education founded on falsified result, are they going to abandon them?

All we owe him is to sincerely confess to God, repent and turn away from sin.

shala01:

Restitution is biblical. Paul have to apologised to Ananias,

when? Where? How? It wasnt written in my bible! Please read Acts 9 again & tell me where u got that from.

Restitution is a must in our christian Faith, else we make shipwreck of our faith.
1 Tim 1:19, Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.
NB: before you restitute God will first of all hold you on your consciecnce, lets take this in a more direct ways, before you got saved you are just a sinner and there are sins that God will tell you to restitute by holding your conscience, at this time christians got confused because it is hard and their questions often is this, have i not accepted Him? Am i not save? But i tell you it is part of transitioning into everlasting because in God there is no darkness. But when you do it, the weight will be lifted from you, one of things that actually happens after salvation is resurrection of conscience, God knows that it is almost impossible to chasten someone without conscience . A christian without is dead.
1 John 3:19-21, By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before Him whenever our hearts condemn us
20, for God is greater than our Hearts and he knows everything
21, Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
I wonder How we christians live with our conscience when we do something wrong, but if your conscience is not right God, you cannot commiune with Him. So brethren restitution is require of every christian who calls Him/herslf a Christian. The reason why some people jump this is to avoid the offence of the cross. But i tell you today you are not a christian when you shy away from persecution. Bible said '' for so persecuted them that were prophet before you, book of Heb 12:4. You have resisted unto blood, striving with sin. This is the level christianity that our fathers were in. People Stephen, Peter, John, others, they never shortcuted anything less than what Jesus thought. They followed the doctrine of Jesus. Todays Christians don't want to pay the price to be with the Master, but i tell you if shortcut RESTITUTION, your salvation is built on sand

chrischalice:
Restitution is a must in our christian Faith, else we make shipwreck of our faith.
1 Tim 1:19, Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.
NB: before you restitute God will first of all hold you on your consciecnce, lets take this in a more direct ways, before you got saved you are just a sinner and there are sins that God will tell you to restitute by holding your conscience, at this time christians got confused because it is hard and their questions often is this, have i not accepted Him? Am i not save? But i tell you it is part of transitioning into everlasting because in God there is no darkness. But when you do it, the weight will be lifted from you, one of things that actually happens after salvation is resurrection of conscience, God knows that it is almost impossible to chasten someone without conscience . A christian without is dead.
1 John 3:19-21, By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before Him whenever our hearts condemn us
20, for God is greater than our Hearts and he knows everything
21, Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
I wonder How we christians live with our conscience when we do something wrong, but if your conscience is not right God, you cannot commiune with Him. So brethren restitution is require of every christian who calls Him/herslf a Christian. The reason why some people jump this is to avoid the offence of the cross. But i tell you today you are not a christian when you shy away from persecution. Bible said '' for so persecuted them that were prophet before you, book of Heb 12:4. You have resisted unto blood, striving with sin. This is the level christianity that our fathers were in. People Stephen, Peter, John, others, they never shortcuted anything less than what Jesus thought. They followed the doctrine of Jesus. Todays Christians don't want to pay the price to be with the Master, but i tell you if shortcut RESTITUTION, your salvation is built on sand

if while you were in the world as a lady for instance you committed several abortions, how do you restitute.?

freecocoa:
There's no need for that when you can just pray to the air and be forgiven in your imagination.

hello? Do you mind if we talk in private, like off nairaland?

toyetade:
I am using a forged certificate to work but now I am born again, should I continue to use that certificate. Should I not confess and return the certificate to the owner after I have become a christian. ?
I marry my friend wife as a second wife. After I have become born again, should I not return the wife to her owner ?

Salvation cannot be complete without Restitution.

as long as u are still using 'the forged certificate' u are still enjoying that sin. As for ur friend's wife, please read matthew 5:31-32,& john 4:16-26