Question: Does repentance demand restitution?

Answer: It has been stated that the command to repent is the most difficult for man to obey. The call to repent directly challenges man's will to give up sin. Jesus said, "Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3). Many passages (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31; etc.) teach the importance of repentance. As repentance is such an important part of the gospel plan of salvation, we need to be certain we have obeyed this divine command. Therefore, the question, "Is restitution 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..." (2 Corinthians 7:10) One must be sorry that his conduct has been offensive 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, when he found himself in a pigpen, determined to change his life.
   
   
3. Reform. What good is a change of mind unless I change my conduct? As long as the prodigal son remained in the pigpen, 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 bring about occasion for rejoicing. In Matthew 21:29, Jesus illustrated repentance with a parable about a son whose father asked him 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, restitution for most thefts was to be double whatever was taken. Numbers 5:6-8; Leviticus 5:16; and 6:1-7 also illustrate the restitution principle--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, "Today is salvation come to this house." (Luke 19:9)
   
   The question of what restitution to make when a deed cannot be undone, nor the damage repaired, remains a very difficult one. Paul was guilty of having taken lives, which he could not restore. Yet, Paul devoted the remainder of his life to trying to undo the damage he had done. He 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 a joy it is to see those who have sinned 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).