Bible Restitution (4)

10
Apr

Life Capsule for Today                                                Date:10th April, 2024

Theme:   Bible Restitution (4)

Memory Verse: Matt 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

Topic:  Restitution Under the New Covenant (B)

Today’s Reading: Rom 8:1-4

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. KJV

Words of the Ministry:

Today we continue with a few more examples on how the saints terminated their past under the new covenant, we would look at two particular examples and I would like us to pay attention to how they were directed by the Apostles or the Holy Spirit, we also need to notice the differences in the approach of the saints towards restitution that while under the old covenant, they were bound by the laws of Moses, in the new covenant, they are bound by the Law of the Spirit. Yesterday while highlighting the differences we saw from the first two examples, we stated that the new converts burnt their magic books not because the Apostles told them to do so but the Holy Spirit convicted them in their conscience. Onesimus on the other hand was repentant and willing to pay back Philemon although he never had the means, Paul volunteered to pay on his behalf when he could, we did say even if he didn’t pay, he was as much a son of God like Philemon but the payment was to seal his testimony before Philemon and other men. Just like yesterday, we would consider two examples and draw some light.

  1. Dealing with Debts: In Luke 19.1-9, we read the story of a man Zacchaeus  a tax collector who had an encounter with the Lord and believed, in verse 8, he volunteered to give four times what he has stolen to those he cheated, we would notice the Lord did not ask him to do this, it was primarily a matter of conviction of the Holy Spirit. Fourfold was beyond the demand in Leviticus, Leviticus demands 20% increase but he was willing to pay 400%. It was a matter that affected his testimony and not his salvation. Just as it was with Onesimus. Supposing you defrauded a person and you later got saved, would you just go and preach to him saying the Lord has forgiven me I don’t care what you feel? That would affect your testimony and your success in soul winning. We must realize that Zacchaeus paying four fold was not a demand for his salvation, rather it was the working of the Holy Spirit convicting him, either he paid or not he still would have been saved but his testimony would have been crooked.
  • Dealing with Murder: We see two examples, the robber on the cross Luke 23.43 and Saul who became Paul (Act 8.1-2). The robber was a notorious one as the use of the word in the Greek suggest he wasn’t a petty thief, he was a thief who committed murder and arson.  He was saved on the cross and we were not told how he settled the theft and crimes he committed especially because he had no opportunity. The second example is Saul who became Paul although he didn’t kill Stephen directly he gave approval to his murder, he too was saved and there was not account or teaching concerning how he did restitution. We must therefore ensure we don’t over burden anyone with condemnation, but there are times individuals are bothered in their conscience by the holy spirit and not a matter of mere accusation, such should he restituted. For instance, maybe a person was killed and another was sent to prison, we should make confession where necessary to ensure the innocent is free and of course it come with its consequences.

In doing restitution according to the new covenant way through the leading of the Holy Spirit, We are to pay back what can be paid because the principle here is making our wrongs right where necessary. If you can pay, confess and make known I can’t pay at the moment. Please read 1 Cor 6.9-11 a, 11b. Note that Paul emphasis was on what they should do hence forth as they have been forgiven, washed, sanctified and justified. Same in Eph 4.17-24, again in Eph 4.25-28. Paul said those that stole should not steal again, he didn’t emphasize return what you have stolen in four folds, same in Eph 5.3-4, talks about the things that have been terminated through salvation and not necessarily teaching on what we should do afterwards. Please note that restitution which would implicate others must be done in wisdom and humility under guidance of matured believers. Join us tomorrow as we consider a few more examples.

Bible in one year: 1 Sam 28-31. For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.comor visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.

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