What other scriptures emphasize the need for making amends after sinning? Starting Point: Ezra 10:19 “They all gave their hands in pledge to put away their wives, and for their guilt, they offered a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.” Here we see confession, concrete action, and a costly sacrifice—three ingredients Scripture consistently joins together whenever sin is dealt with. Restitution in the Law • Numbers 5:6-7 — “When a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD… he must confess the sin he has committed; he must make full restitution for his wrong, add a fifth of the value to it, and give it to the one he has wronged.” • Leviticus 6:4-5 — “He must return what he has taken… make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and give it to its owner on the day he presents his guilt offering.” • Exodus 22:1-4 — Detailed repayment formulas (double, fourfold, fivefold) show that true repentance is measurable in deeds, not words alone. Wisdom’s Reminder • Proverbs 14:9 — “Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.” Wise living refuses to stop at apology; it seeks to repair the damage. Prophets Calling for Tangible Change • Ezekiel 33:14-16 — “If he returns what he has stolen, restores what he has extorted… he will surely live; none of the sins he has committed will be held against him.” • Isaiah 1:16-17 — “Wash and cleanse yourselves… learn to do right; seek justice.” The prophets link forgiveness with visible, practical justice toward those harmed. Jesus Affirms Restitution • Matthew 5:23-24 — “First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” • Luke 19:8-9 — “If I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” Jesus responds, “Today salvation has come to this house.” The Lord receives repentant sinners, yet He expects them to set wrongs right. Early Church in Action • Acts 19:18-19 — Believers confess publicly and destroy valuable occult scrolls worth fifty-thousand drachmas. Their repentance costs them dearly, illustrating that grace never excuses keeping the fruits of sin. Apostolic Guidance • James 5:16 — “Therefore confess your sins to one another… so that you may be healed.” • 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 — Godly sorrow produces “earnestness… eagerness to clear yourselves… what indignation… what zeal, what vindication!” Real repentance rushes to repair and restore. Putting It Together Scripture—accurate and trustworthy from beginning to end—presents a unified pattern: 1. Admit the sin (confession). 2. Accept responsibility before God and people (sacrifice or its Christ-fulfilled equivalent). 3. Act to repair the damage (restitution, reconciliation, changed behavior). From the Law to the prophets, from Jesus to the apostles, the Bible calls every believer not only to seek forgiveness but also to make amends where sin has wounded others. |
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