LOOKING THE WAY OF RESTITUTION

Restitution is defined as an act of making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen. It could be in the form of restoring stolen or misappropriated things, properties or persons to their rightful owners; paying back debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men (Acts 24:16).

Restitution is to be done whether the person we injured knew or not, for God knows. When a man sins against his neighbour, he sins against God because the commandment of God has been broken. God requires that a man make amends to any person he has injured or wronged as a mark of genuine repentance. As believers, We need to bear fruits that signify to all that we have become new creatures indeed (2 Cor 5:17). So, making restitutions ensures that we have right relationship with our fellowmen after we are reconciled with God.

However, making restitution is like fighting a spiritual warfare in which we need God’s wisdom to carry out. Some restitutions are delicate and can implicate or bring harm to others or affect them in an adverse way. In making such restitutions, we need to have clear leading from God’s word as to what steps to take. For delicate restitutions, we need fervent prayers, wisdom and the whole counsel of God (Prov 11:14). When restitutions are made and past wrongs are settled, the peace of God floods the heart and the sense of guilt is removed.