Does Repentance Demand Restitution?
by Micky Galloway
It has been stated that the hardest command for man to obey is to repent. Repentance is a direct challenge to man's will to give up sin. Jesus said, "Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Many passages teach the importance of repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31; etc). As repentance is so important a condition in the gospel plan of salvation, it is necessary to know when we have obeyed this divine command. To question whether restitution is a part of repentance is an important question.
Genuine repentance basically involves four things: 1. Godly sorrow. Paul said, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation …” (II Corinthians 7:10). One must be sorry that his conduct has been an offense to God. 2. Resolve. This is a change of mind, a change of will. When the prodigal son “came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:17-19). This young man in the pig pen determined to change his life. 3. Reform. What good is a change of mind without a change of conduct? As long as the prodigal son remained in the pig pin he had changed very little. “And he arose and came to his father …” (Luke 15:20-21). Only when he acted upon his decision did he better his life and cause occasion for rejoicing. Jesus illustrated repentance in Matthew 21:29 with the son who was asked by his father to go work in the vineyard. The son answered, “I will not: but after repented himself, and went.” 4. Restitution. This principle is clearly taught in Exodus 22. It was stated that a man who stole an ox was to restore five oxen or restore four sheep for one stolen, etc. Ordinarily, most thefts were to be restored double. Numbers 5:6-8; Leviticus 5:16; 6:1-7 also illustrate the principle of restitution, adding one fifth more to that which was wrongfully taken. Jesus approved of Zacchaeus when he said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus said to him, “To-day is salvation come to this house” (Luke 19:9).
The question of what restitution is made when the deed cannot be undone, nor the damage repaired, is yet a very difficult one. Paul was guilty of having taken lives, which he could not restore. Yet, Paul gave the rest of his life trying to undo the damage he had done. Paul demonstrated his repentance (not penance) by devoting himself to the cause of Christ and living for him. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that (life) which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, (the faith) which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
God demands that sinners, “bring forth fruit worthy of repentance” (Cf. Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20). What joy it is to see those who sin bringing forth such worthy fruit. Let us not rob repentance of its fruit. “There shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7).