Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Mosaic Law contained specific provisions (such as Exodus 22:1-15 and Leviticus 6:1-7) dealing with making restitution to those against whom people sinned.

The New Testament (to my knowledge) contains no such detailed guidance. However, to me, seeking forgiveness and making restitution with those against whom believers sin would be one of the "fruits" (referred to by John the Baptist in the verse cited in the question) that forgiven believers could (and, in my opinion, should want to) show (whenever possible) as evidence of their sincerity and repentance, and as a testimony to their gratitude for their forgiveness in Christ.

For example, when Jesus went to dine at the house of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19:2-10, Jesus commended Zacchaeus' stated intention to give half his wealth to the poor, and to pay back fourfold anyone whom he had wronged, as a tangible sign that forgiveness and salvation had come to him that day.

November 02 2016 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Good question, Lori! I asked my cousin, Randi, this question and she helped me. Is 'going to God' enough to be forgiven of a particular offense, or do we need to apologize to the person we have wronged and make restoration? 

Randi's answer: I do believe so...if GOD brings it to mind...we at least have to ask to be forgiven...look at Levi...he was changed...and gave half of his things to the poor...and he paid 4 times back...what he had stolen...and JESUS...said today salvation has come to you...and I HAVE COME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST.

Randi's quote in your question mentioned "Levi," but the biblical account she describes--giving half his goods to the poor and restoring fourfold what he stole, with Jesus declaring "today salvation has come to this house"--is actually the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Levi was the tax collector who became Matthew, but that passage doesn't include restitution. So, Randi likely meant Zacchaeus, and I'll refer to him correctly here.

A lady in the north of England said that every time she got down before God to pray, five bottles of wine came up before her mind. She had taken them wrongfully one time when she was a housekeeper, and had not been able to pray since. She was advised to make restitution. “But the person is dead,” she said.

“Are not some of the heirs living?”

“Yes, a son.”

“Then go to that son and pay him back.”

“Well,” she said, “I want to see the face of God, but I could not think of doing a thing like that. My reputation is at stake.” She went away, and came back the next day to ask if it would not do just as well to put that money in the treasury of the Lord.”

“No,” she was told, “God doesn’t want any stolen money. The only thing is to make restitution.”

She carried that burden for several days, but finally went into the country, saw that son, made a full confession and offered him a five-pound note. He said he didn’t want the money, but she finally persuaded him to take it, and came back with a joy and peace that made her face radiant. She became a magnificent worker for souls, and led many into the light.

My dear friends, get these stumbling stones out of the way. God does not want a man to shout “Hallelujah” who doesn’t pay his debts. Many of our prayer meetings are killed by men trying to pray who cannot pray because their lives are not right. Sin builds up a great wall between us and God. A man may stand high in the community and may be a member of some church “in good standing,” but the question is, how does he stand in the sight of God? If there is anything wrong in your life, make it right.

Moody’s Anecdotes, pp. 49-50

23 hours ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report