How can we apply the principle of restitution in personal conflicts today? Restitution in the Law “ If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five oxen for an ox or four sheep for a sheep.” — Exodus 22:1 Why God Instituted Restitution • Restores what was lost and affirms the victim’s dignity • Demonstrates genuine repentance—wrongdoers feel the cost of their sin • Deterrent to future wrongdoing (cf. Proverbs 6:30-31) • Models God’s own heart for justice and mercy to coexist (Psalm 89:14) Carrying the Principle into Personal Conflicts Today 1. Recognize the Wrong • Admit the specific offense without excuses (Numbers 5:6-7). • Confession precedes compensation. 2. Restore What Was Taken or Damaged • Tangible losses: return items, repay money, repair property. • Intangible losses: time, reputation, emotional hurt—offer meaningful gestures that communicate value. 3. Go Beyond Bare Minimum • Old Covenant required 4- or 5-fold repayment; Zacchaeus mirrored this (Luke 19:8). • Today, add something extra: a written apology, covering related costs, or a gift that eases lingering hardship. 4. Act Quickly • Jesus places reconciliation before worship (Matthew 5:23-24). • Delayed restitution allows bitterness to grow; prompt action nurtures peace. 5. Embrace Accountability • Involve a neutral believer if needed (Matthew 18:15-16). • Keeps motives pure and process transparent. 6. Accept Financial Sacrifice as Part of Repentance • Ephesians 4:28 calls former thieves to honest work so they can give; restitution may require sacrificial saving. Practical Steps • Make a written list of all affected parties and losses. • Calculate a fair replacement value—then add a “fifth” (20 %) or more as Scripture models (Numbers 5:7). • Contact the offended person personally, if safe, explaining both confession and concrete plan. • Follow through promptly; partial installments are better than indefinite promises. • Seek closure: ask if further steps would fully restore the relationship. When Someone Owes You • State the loss clearly and graciously (Galatians 6:1). • Offer a path for repayment rather than harboring resentment. • Remember Christ forgave you a greater debt (Matthew 18:23-35). Blessings of Practicing Restitution • Cleansed conscience and renewed fellowship with God (1 John 1:9). • Repaired relationships that testify to the gospel’s power (John 13:35). • Community strengthened by justice seasoned with grace (Micah 6:8). Restitution may feel costly, yet it mirrors the Redeemer who paid our debt in full and then poured out grace upon grace. |
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