GOD IS A GOD OF HOLY JUSTICE: RESTITUTION
“...“A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen. The thief who is unable to pay is to be sold for his thieving. If caught red-handed with the stolen goods, and the ox or donkey or lamb is still alive, the thief pays double....” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG). “...A thief shall certainly make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double...” (Exodus 22:3-4 NASB).
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Restitution, under normal circumstances, is a payment one makes for an injury or loss to a victim when their criminal behavior causes them financial loss. The one who makes the payment to the victim is called a perpetrator.
A perpetrator may be able to pay restitution for stealing, lost wages, or physical injuries, but murder or emotional losses are another story.
The purpose of restitution is to help make the victim WHOLE again or at least assist in restoring them BACK to where they were BEFORE they were injured or suffered loss, at the hands, of the perpetrator.
A second reason for restitution is to make the perpetrator accountable and responsible for the injuries and losses incurred on the people they victimized.
“...“A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen. The thief who is unable to pay is to be sold for his thieving. If caught red-handed with the stolen goods, and the ox or donkey or lamb is still alive, the thief pays double....” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG). This verse is saying that when something is STOLEN or LOST the thief makes EVERY effort to RESTORE, what was taken, BACK to the owner.
The effort made by restitution is so the perpetrator can take responsibility, or compensate, or be accountable for the hurt or loss he or she inflicted upon another person. “...A thief shall certainly make restitution...” (Exodus 22:3-4 NASB).
Restitution is NOT forgiveness or repentance. Forgiveness means the victim has decided to release the perpetrator, from any and all adverse feelings, for the harm done. Repentance means the perpetrator has had a change of heart and has decided to change their WAYS.
Restitution, on the other hand, is HOW the perpetrator, by court-order or a heartfelt decision, goes BACK to try and MAKE AMENDS for their injurious and thieving actions. “...“A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen....” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG).
When a person repents and becomes a NEW CREATION; they are completely forgiven through Jesus and ALL their DEBTS are PAID in FULL. It is Jesus Christ who has ALREADY paid restitution to God, the Holy Spirit, as their ransom, and MADE AMENDS for each of God’s people. “...Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me ...free spirit...Deliver me from bloodguiltiness...” (Psalms 51 KJV).
Restitution, therefore, becomes part of the GIFT of SALVATION through forgiveness of sins by faith in Jesus, because trying to make restitution to God, the Holy Spirit would be IMPOSSIBLE. “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “...because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).
When God’s people MAKE restitution to others for the WRONGS they’ve done it is a WITNESS of a truly penitent and contrite heart. “...Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me ...free spirit...Deliver me from bloodguiltiness...” (Psalms 51 KJV). “...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise...” (Psalm 51:17 NASB). “... Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice...” (Psalm 51:16-17 MSG).
A “broken and contrite” heart is a heart that fells REMORSE over their WRONGDOINGS. A REMORESEFUL heart will SEEK repentance from God. King David demonstrates remorse over his wrongdoing and sought God’s MERCY. . “...Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions...” (Psalms 51 KJV).
King David was a man with a “CONTRITE” heart and he wanted to ATONE for his past sins. “…Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just…” (Psalms 51:4 NLT). “...Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me ...free spirit...Deliver me from bloodguiltiness...” (Psalms 51 KJV).
King David was genuinely remorseful and it LED him repent from his WRONGDOING. Repentance will restore a person to a good conscience, which helps convicts us to do good and make restitution or restoration where we can. “…Having a good conscience. …” (1 Peter 3:16 KJV). “…I strive always to keep my CONSCIENCE clear before God and man…” (Acts 24:16 NIV).
The term “heart” may be the closest explanation for conscience. Conscience is the internal standard of right or wrong. The indwelling Holy Spirit HELPS God’s people KEEP their conscience CLEAN before HIM and others. “…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear CONSCIENCE toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 3:21 NIV).
The ideal of restitution is important to remember once the conscience is CLEANED. Nonetheless, there are some WRONGDOINGS and SINS that NO amount of restitution will do. Thus, RESTITUTION with God, the Holy Spirit, is part of SALVATION and “NOT” a requirement of it. “…I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my CONSCIENCE confirms it through the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 9:1 NIV). “…The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good CONSCIENCE and a sincere faith…” (1 Timothy 1:5 NIV). “…holding on to faith and a good CONSCIENCE, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith…” (1 Timothy 1:19 NIV).
God’s people receive FORGIVENESS, FREEDOM, and CLEANSING of their sins through faith in Jesus Christ whether they personally pay restitution or not, BECAUSE it has ALREADY been PAID.
However, their conscience was CLEANED and RENEWED as well. Conscience is the internal standard of right or wrong. The indwelling Holy Spirit was sent INTO the hearts of God’s people and HELPS them KEEP their conscience CLEAN before HIM and others. “…I strive always to keep my CONSCIENCE clear before God and man…” (Acts 24:16 NIV). “…I will put my laws (WORD) into their mind, and write them in their hearts…” (Hebrews 8:10 KJV). "…I will put my law (WORD) in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…” (Jeremiah 31:33 NIV). “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Apostle Paul’s informs the readers how his conscience - filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ - is made “clear.” “…How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, PURGE YOUR CONSCIENCE from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14 KJV).
“…Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an EVIL CONSCIENCE, and our bodies washed with pure water…” (Hebrews 10:22 KJV).
“…Pray for us: for we trust we have A GOOD CONSCIENCE, in all things willing to live honestly…” (Hebrews 13:18 KJV).
“…For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had NO MORE CONSCIENCE OF SINS….” (Hebrews 10:1-2 KJV).
A renewed conscience INFLUENCES your conduct before God and others. “…For this is thankworthy, if a man (woman) for CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD endure grief, suffering wrongfully…” (1 Peter 2:19 KJV). “…The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ...” (1 Peter 3:21 KJV). “..Having a GOOD CONSCIENCE; that, whereas THEY speak evil of you, as of evildoers, THEY may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ…” (1 Peter 3:16 KJV).
“…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (out of the heart, where the conscience is, comes your THOUGHTS)...” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Like everything else is new, so is the conscience new. “...Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
A new conscience is given by God through the indwelling Holy Spirit and becomes the new internal standard of right or wrong. Again, the indwelling Holy Spirit was sent INTO the hearts of God’s people and HELPS them KEEP their conscience CLEAN before HIM and others “…How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, PURGE YOUR CONSCIENCE from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14 KJV). “…Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an EVIL CONSCIENCE…” (Hebrews 10:22 KJV).
God gives you a new conscience through the indwelling Holy Spirit, but God’s people CHOOSE to yield to God’s leading. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “...The sinful nature wants to do evil ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
The heart and ALL that it contains “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]...” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). “…MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me…” (1 Corinthians 4:4 NLT). “...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me ...free spirit...Deliver me from bloodguiltiness...” (Psalms 51 KJV). “…it is God which worketh in you both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Human moral values is something you can witness in both believers and non-believers. There are times when non-believers appear to adhere to their internal, human moral values more than believers do.
Non-believers SEEM consistent with their human, moral values and appear to stand by them without the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Believers, who have the indwelling Holy Spirit to convict them in regard to their HOLY moral values, resist, or reject, or ignore their new conscience.
Romans 2:14-15 demonstrates this comparison between the Gentiles (who represent non-believers) and Jews (who represent believers). “… (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their CONSCIENCES also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)…” (Romans 2:14-15 NIV).
There are times when non-believers demonstrate a more consistent moral conscience, whatever it is, than believers who have the indwelling Holy Spirit. "…I will put my law (WORD) in [your]… minds and write it on [your]… hearts. I will be [your]…God, and [you]… will be my people…” (Jeremiah 31:33 NIV). “…it is God which worketh in you both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Conscience is not meant to judge your conduct, dictate your conduct, or force your conduct; it is only a support system to remind you of your internalized moral (HOLY), values. YOU CHOOSE your OWN moral values (human or holy). “…Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARING WITNESS, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another…” (Romans 2:15 KJV).
“…I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, MY CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARING ME WITNESS in the Holy Ghost…” (Romans 9:1 KJV).
“…For our rejoicing is this, THE TESTIMONY OF OUR CONSCIENCE, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward…” (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV). “…But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth COMMENDING OURSELVES TO EVERY MAN’S CONSCIENCE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD…” (2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV). “…Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are MADE MANIFEST IN YOUR CONSCIENCE…” (2 Corinthians 5:11 KJV).
Conscience, for God’s people, is empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…Jesus Christ is in [God’s people]…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in [his people] …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV
The indwelling Holy Spirit becomes the NEW established, internal value system. "…I will put my law (WORD) in [my people’s]… minds and write it on [their]… hearts. I will be [their]…God, and [they]… will be my people…” (Jeremiah 31:33 NIV). And enables you sustain the value system. “…it is God which worketh in [his own people]... both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
God’s people CAN become “... transformed by the renewing of [their]... mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). If God’s people are “…to be conformed to the image of his Son…” they need develop the conscience of Christ (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). A renewed mind produces a renewed conscience.
A renewed conscience becomes the witness of a new set of moral/biblical values imparted by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The new set of moral/biblical values imparted by the indwelling Holy Spirit renews the heart and the mind. "…I will put my law (WORDS) in [my people’s]… MINDS and write it on [their]… HEARTS (conscience). I will be [their]…God, and [they]… will be my people…” (Jeremiah 31:33 NIV).
Godly restitution is a heartfelt payment a person makes for an injury or loss they have inflicted upon another person. It is easier to pay restitution for stealing, lost wages, or physical injuries, but it is harder to restore the HURTS incurred by murder or emotional abuses or atrocities.
The reason a Godly person would want to make restitution is LOVE and a desire to help make the victim WHOLE again or at least assist in restoring them BACK to EQUITABLE advantage.
A second reason for Godly restitution is for conscience sake. A redeemed person would want to be accountable and responsible for the injuries and losses they incurred on the people they victimized. “...“A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen...” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG).
By RENEWING YOUR CONSCIENCE, through Jesus, a redeemed thief makes EVERY effort to RESTORE, what was taken, broken, or loss, BACK to the owner.
God is a God of JUSTICE. In this WORLD his people are LIKE JESUS. “…everything he (God, the Holy Spirit) does is right and all his ways are just...” (Daniel 4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love does NO HARM to his neighbor …” (Romans 13:10 NASB).
“…In this world [God’s people]... are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). “...Be … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).
Jesus said, “…learn from me, for I am gentle and HUMBLE in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “...A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen...” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG).
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