RESTITUTION
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Now you are saved and have peace with God, it is important for you to also make peace with your fellow man especially those who were not at peace with you before you were saved. And also return anything in your possession that does not belong to you to their rightful owners.
John the Baptist did not mince his words when he told the Jews to bear fruit worthy of their repentance. Paying back what you have wrongfully taking and making right things you have done wrong is called restitution. And it is considered to be one of the fruits of repentance.
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Restitution is a principle which was introduced in the Old Testament law by God. Remember that restitution is a visible evidence of your decision to turn away from sins to Christ. It also backed up your testimonies that you are following a new master. It is true that restitution is not a means of salvation, but it is a healthy indication that you have experienced God’s saving grace.
Zacchaeus being a notorious rich tax collector, he was hated by the Jews. When Jesus announced his intention to be in his house, the Jews were not happy hence they started to murmur. What do you think was the cause of their murmuring here? But when Zacchaeus promised to make restitution, what happened? They stopped murmuring. Jesus became bold to tell the people that salvation has come to his house. That is the power of restitution.