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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Restitution and Repentance</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/r/restitution_and_repentance.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/r/restitution.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Restitution and Repentance</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/r/restitution_and_reconciliation.htm" title="Restitution and Reconciliation">◄</a> Restitution and Repentance <a href="/topical/r/restitution_and_sacrifice.htm" title="Restitution and Sacrifice">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Restitution</b><br><br>Restitution is a biblical principle that involves making amends for wrongs committed, particularly in the context of theft or damage to another's property. It is an act of justice and righteousness, reflecting the heart of God who desires fairness and restoration in human relationships. The concept of restitution is deeply rooted in the Old Testament law, where specific guidelines were given to the Israelites.<br><br>In the Mosaic Law, restitution was required to restore what was taken or damaged, often with an additional penalty. For example, <a href="/exodus/22.htm">Exodus 22:1</a> states, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." This law underscores the importance of not only returning what was taken but also compensating for the loss incurred.<br><br>Restitution is not merely a legal obligation but a moral one, reflecting a heart transformed by God's standards of justice. It is an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a tangible step towards reconciliation. In the New Testament, the account of Zacchaeus illustrates this principle. After encountering Jesus, Zacchaeus declares, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold" (<a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a>). His willingness to make restitution is a sign of genuine repentance and transformation.<br><br><b>Repentance</b><br><br>Repentance is a fundamental concept in the Christian faith, involving a sincere turning away from sin and turning towards God. It is more than mere regret or remorse; it is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in behavior. The call to repentance is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for individuals to acknowledge their sinfulness and seek God's forgiveness.<br><br>In the Old Testament, the prophets consistently called the people of Israel to repentance, urging them to return to God and abandon their sinful ways. <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a> captures this call: "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion."<br><br>In the New Testament, John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with a call to repentance. <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a> records John the Baptist's message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Similarly, Jesus proclaimed, "Repent and believe in the gospel" (<a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a>). Repentance is presented as an essential response to the message of the kingdom of God.<br><br>True repentance involves a recognition of one's sin, a heartfelt sorrow for having offended God, and a commitment to change one's ways. It is accompanied by faith in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death and resurrection provide the means for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a> exhorts believers, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away."<br><br>Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart. It is an ongoing process of turning away from sin and growing in holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul speaks of this transformative process in <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> : "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."<br><br>In summary, restitution and repentance are interconnected aspects of the Christian life, reflecting a heart aligned with God's justice and mercy. Restitution demonstrates the sincerity of repentance, while repentance is the foundation for a restored relationship with God and others.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/r/restitution.htm">Restitution</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/r/restitution--to_be_made_for_dishonesty.htm">Restitution: To be Made for Dishonesty</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/r/restitution--to_be_made_for_injury_to_life,_limb,_or_property.htm">Restitution: To be Made for Injury to Life, Limb, or Property</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/r/restitution--to_be_made_for_theft.htm">Restitution: To be Made for Theft</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/restless.htm">Restless (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/restitution.htm">Restitution (21 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/r/restitution_and_reconciliation.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Restitution and Reconciliation"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Restitution and Reconciliation" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/r/restitution_and_sacrifice.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Restitution and Sacrifice"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Restitution and Sacrifice" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>