Make amends now….
Genesis 20:14”Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him.”
The response of pagan king Abimelech is praise-worthy and deserves our claps, when reprimanded him for taking Sarah, wife of Abraham, he immediately repented, obeyed God and returned Sarah not alone - mark it – but with sheep, oxen, male and female servants. Wow! This is whole-hearted repentance, not grudgingly but unwillingly. Have you watched some people say sorry reluctantly, never ready to accept their faults, but here we have a lesson to learn from a king who does not know the true God, anybody listening?
Well, the word ‘restitution’ is not commonly used, however, instead we use the words: amends, compensation, refund etc. I have something really important to share, you must hear this today! Without restitution, repentance is not complete! We have a perfect example of Zacchaeus here in Luke 19:8,”Then Zacchaeus said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." His encounter with Jesus filled him with such joy, that he dug into his savings and promised to give away half to the poor and also promised to restore four-fold, as far as he could recollect or find by his books that he had wronged any man. He did not say, ‘I will return if I be sued, ‘, but voluntarily agreed to return. Read Exodus 22:1"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.’ Paul Allen, Co-founder of Microsoft promised to give away the majority of his fortune when he dies. But listen, Zacchaeus did not wait for death to give away his property, but did it right away. He said, “I do it now.” That’s true repentance and immediate restitution. Praise the Lord!
I read the story of a man who became born again, though he was filled with joy for a while and ministered to people, yet, he had no peace of mind. Therefore, he went to the Police and reported himself regarding a crime he committed 10 years before he got born again. He had killed his girlfriend, carefully folded the body and threw it into the river. The police were surprised. He reported to the police because he knew that without restitution his repentance was not complete. His wife and children begged him not to do so but he refused. He said that it was better to die now and have life eternal than to live and later end up in hell fire. Of course, he was promptly jailed. That is what is called repentance.
Friend, you cannot dance for long over a buried pumpkin! Have you wronged or cheated anyone? Have you brutally betrayed anyone by not keeping the promise? Have you amassed property/goods through unrighteous ways? Be warned today, you will never enjoy true happiness nor have peace, without clearing the records. Make amends!
Don’t click me away – pause and think!
