The call for urgent restitution for all

Restitution is often comprised in the act of repentance yet it is a very important part of repentance. Restitution is the act of returning, restoring and remaking things back to what they were before the instance that changed things. Restitution is done when biblical injustice has happened to the next person. Restitution is towards man and towards but repentance is towards God.  However, God does not overlook the need for restituion.

Restitution is biblical

For a long time in my life I have been living with lots of pending restitutions due to some people I live with. I ignored the fact that without doing it I could be rejected for Heaven when I die or when Jesus returns. Later in this post I will share some of the things I was convicted by the Spirit to restitute on.

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Jesus said that “…if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” – Matthew 5:23 – 24. Making up with your brother could involve arrangements for restitution with your brother as well as confession(s). Never pride in offering to God when your brothers are displeased with you. Jesus’ words enforce the notion that we have to strive for peace with everyone, which is tied to holiness in as far as the book of Hebrews states in chapter 12 verse 14.

In the book of 1 Samuel 12:2 – 5, we learn of Samuel preparing to step down from power by opening up for the Israelites to claim whatever they believe he could have taken it from them unjustly. The verses read;

Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” 5 Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is witness,” they said.

The portion enlightens us further that the need for restitution could arise from taking things by force, stealing, cheating, oppressing others, and giving bribes. If you can relate to any of these in your life and realize the need to restitute, please delay no further.

Personal examples

I have examples of pending things that I’m currently working on which the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to work on. Some of these have already been sorted but I will mention them just as examples for what we often take for granted when it comes to restitution:

1. 1. Sometime before the year 2010 I attended a church fundraising dinner on credit. Nobody bothered to follow up on me for payment and I also forget about it. In the year 2017, I went back to the church I used to go to and paid the money. First, I engaged with the pastor in confession and then paid the money.
   2. Dowry for my wife was not paid in full at the time of writing this post. God helped me settle the outstanding and today my promise has been fulfilled.
   3. In the final year of study at University of South Africa, one employee at the university helped me with the binding of my thesis. When discussing payment options, he couldn’t allow me to do an EFT but insisted on a cash payment. This was not easy for me since I had no other appointment with the university or anywhere close by. He did bind and submit the thesis for me but he did not follow up on payment. I also forgot. Later on, I remembered my debt and made efforts to get contacts this person I owed. I failed. I then decided to commit this burden to the Lord in prayer. I trust God to make a way for me to eventually settle this outstanding payment.
   4. My friend had lent me some DVDs some years ago. He had relocated by the time I wanted to give him back his DVDs. I fortunately got hold of his brother and gave him the DVDs to send to his brother.
   5. I had promised my son that I will repair one of my computers and give it to him as a gift. At the time of writing this article, I had not fulfilled this promise yet I know I should some time in the future.

These are some of my personal baggage just to give you an idea of the many things we often take for granted yet they matter for a healthy Christian living. I encourage you to pray to God for help in revealing pending restitution that you may have forgotten before you die.

Divine revelations on restitution

Abraham Yakubu’s testimony sensitized me on the importance of restitution. I got this message from his sermons on YouTube titled, “The Reality of heaven and Hell – Part 1 to 4”. I encourage you to take time to watch and listen to these videos and if it calls for it, repeat the sermons as many times as you can. I can assure you, it will be worth your time and data.

The urgency

Restitution is urgent and postponing it for any later time is very dangerous. It must be done “NOW!” without delay because you may not have “LATER”. Satan will always suggest that you postpone, delay or even defy the call to restitute. The devils aim is to destroy you.

Restitution is a daily prayer item for a believer as each day you may add to your list without noticing it sometimes. Seek Godly counsel where you are not clear of what you have to do. Know that it calls for obedience to the Holy Spirit and wisdom to do it right. Be ready for being ridiculed, scorned or even brought to justice but this will do you more good for your soul than risking the dungeon of eternal Hell.

Be blessed.

Revised: 26/04/22