Make It Right
If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. -Ephesians 4:28 (NLT)
If you’ve ever been guilty of stealing on a consistent basis, you know what it’s like when the Holy Spirit comes into your heart and puts His finger on that area of your life. Not only is there an understanding that this way of life needs to stop, but there’s also a desire to repay and make restitution.
That’s what’s being described for us here in the Book of Ephesians, and it’s the same spirit Zacchaeus had when He had a heart-to-heart encounter with Jesus:
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19:8 NKJV)
Undoubtedly, there were those who Zacchaeus had cheated at the tax table. But he wouldn’t be content to sweep them under the rug. After being in Christ’s presence, he knew what he had to do. He had to make personal restitution to those that he had stolen from.
If that doesn’t also happen in our hearts, then something is drastically off. It ought to become our personal mission to make things right with the people we’ve ripped off. That’s because our nature changes from “taker” to “giver” once God’s Spirit resides within us.
It may be uncomfortable, it may be awkward, it may even be risky to own up and give back to those whom you’ve taken from. But know this: It will also be right, and that’s the real measure of what we should do. If you’ve stolen from someone, then make it right by giving back.
Discuss, Dig, Decide
Discuss and share with your group the importance of righting your wrongs. Share about a time when you have seen restitution done right. What impact did it make?
Dig into Ephesians 4:28. What is the specific instruction given here? Why is this critical for the Christian to understand? Dig into Luke 19:1-10. How does Jesus respond to Zacchaeus’ willingness to give back? What does giving back reveal to the victim about the giver?
Decide as a group to make restitution a priority. Challenge your group to do their own “moral inventory” to discover where there needs to be genuine repentance followed by restitution. Share with each other next week how God was glorified by your willingness to right your wrongs.
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