SQUARED AWAY WITH OTHERS

 

SQUARED AWAY WITH OTHERS

INTRODUCTION:

“I don’t want to do restitution”. You might have heard this, especially from saints. They say it when they want to avoid a situation that would lead to going back to straighten things out. Well, it is good if it serves as a deterrence from error of commission. However, restitution is not a monster but God’s way of making our walk and work with him and others, wrinkle-free. As human being, we are still subject to error of omissions. Restitution is as simple as saying “I am sorry”, “I was wrong”, “Please forgive me” and restoring back, where applicable. A Christian that finds it difficult to say “I am sorry…” will experience difficult interpersonal relationship with God and man.

God, through His word – the Bible is very explicit when it comes to the importance of maintaining good interpersonal relationships. Because of man’s sinful nature and the resultant effects, it has on natural human behaviour and the eventual consequences, spiritual conflict management was established in order to keep our vertical relationship with God and the horizontal relationship with our fellow men, sweet. A sin committed against fellow human is a sin against God and both sides must be squared away.

Squared Away?

·         To put in order or readiness

·         To finish dealing with a piece of work or a problem

·         Put in order, get ready for, make good

·         Deal with them so that the situation is satisfactory

·         To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation

Get-even?

·         Inflict trouble or harm on someone similar to that which they have inflicted on oneself.

·         To punish someone who has done something bad to you by doing something equally bad to that person

·         Cause them the same amount of harm or annoyance as they have caused ...

Considering the above two methods – “Squared away” and “Get even”, what is your method of conflict management? Your answer defines your real spiritual identity. God wants us to use spiritual method of conflict resolution – for our own good, blessings, future and eternity sake.

1. Why do you think the Spirit of God inspired Luke to include the story of Zacchaeus? Surely there were many more dramatic incidents that could have been recorded.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Offences

·         We are not humanly perfect

·         Possible to step on each other’s toes

·         Error in judgment, conclusion and opinions

Offences will come

·         Out of commission or omission

Why?

·         Adamic perfection: We don’t possess this yet

·         Christian perfection: Subject to human errors (mostly not deliberately)

Knowledge Vs. Ignorance

·         Knowledge is power

·         Spiritual knowledge is a capacity

·         God will never keep any information that will help our walk and work with Him

Repentance: Process

·         If we are going to walk and work with God, we must make repentance a first step

·         There are things to repent of as a sinner – in order to take of the old lifestyle

·         Thanks be to God, His grace and gifts are not to be repented of

·         But as Christians, if there are things to be ironed out, we have to care of them

Natural response/reaction

·         A natural man or a sinner does not need to be trained on how to react to offences

·         What do you expect from a sinner? To behave like a sinner

·         Don’t be surprised, unforgiving spirit and “Get even” method is a sinner’s natural instinct

Spiritual remedy/response

·         A child of God is a transformed soul

·         With a Prepared heart to follow and obey God’s instructions

·         Willingness is a virtue impacted by the Holy Spirit to empower us to do God’s will

·         Humility and obedience are needed to practice it

·         We want to do it to enjoy the blessings that come with doing it

·         We also want to do it to avoid the repercussion of not doing it

·         Are you struggling in this regard? Just take a step of obedience

John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

2. Zacchaeus was a chief among the publicans (tax collectors) for the Roman government. Such men were usually Romans, but Zacchaeus, who was a Jew, probably represented the Jews in Jericho. As chief, he would have been the one who sold the privilege of collecting taxes to the highest bidders. In turn, these men could add as much of a commission as they could collect. Zacchaeus no doubt started his career as one of these tax collectors, and was not held in any regard by the Jews. Which verse in our text establishes the fact that Zacchaeus’ poor reputation was known by those in Jericho?

Esther 4:14 …and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

In the Kingdom for such a time as this

·         Every opportunity, blessing, position, promotion etc. are God’s investments on us

·         How are we using the above, for God and His Kingdom?

·         A review of opportunities, blessings and influences: How do you measure up?

Dare to be different

·         You might be away from the watchful eyes of those that matters to you, but God is watching and assessing you very closely

·         You may be in “Rome”, remember who you are

What shall it profit a man…?

·         Is it even possible to gain the whole world? It is impossible

·         Any fraudulent gain or entanglement is to cheap, compared to eternity

You and your money, who is in control? - Integrity test

·         Your attitude to your money when God’s need arises is your answer

·         It is difficult to be in control of your resources if you are not fully on the altar

·         Tripartite consecration: Your Heart, Body and Resources

·         When any of the above is missing, you will struggle with misplaced priority

Godliness is a great gain

·         The only thing that satisfies is godliness with added God-given resources

·         Without God, even the best blessing will go all wrong

Compounding effect of bad representation

·         Misrepresentation of God, the gospel and His resources

·         People read our lives more than they read the word of God

Jesus is passing this way

·         Do you feel you have failed God and His investments on you?

·         There is yet hope

·         Jesus is passing your way today, just for you.

John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

 

3. What was required of a person bringing a trespass offering under the Mosaic Law? See Leviticus 6:2-7.

Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

First step

·         Don’t expect God to lead you to the next step, if you are yet to take the first step

·         First thing first

God required the past

·         God is orderly

·         God doesn’t want left over issues

Keep the way clear

·         God has done His part

·         Any potential hindrance has been cleared on our behalf

·         We however have a small part to part

·         The delay is never from God

Acceptable sacrifice

·         Acceptable sacrifice requires a prepared altar

·         If the altar is defective, the sacrifice on it would be unacceptable

Ought against

·         Any ought against has to be cleared

Interpersonal relationship with others

·         Maintain good interpersonal relationship with others

·         Many may not make heaven just due to what transpires between them and fellow humans

Horizontal relationship

·         How is your relationship with others?

·         God is interested

Vertical relationship

·         How is our relationship with God?

·         Our relationship with others affects our relationship with God

 

4. Restitution obviously played an important part in obtaining forgiveness under the Mosaic Law. What part does it have in obtaining forgiveness in our time?

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Restitution?

Spot and wrinkle

·         Many of us have been Washed and make clean by the blood of Jesus

·         This gives us a sinless identity

·         When we wash our clothes, we don’t just put it on. We iron it to make it smooth

·         In our interpersonal relationships with others, wrinkles may develop that need to be straightened and smoothed out

·         Are you spotless but wrinkled?

·         Are there Frictions?

Spiritual access

·         Restitution offers spiritual access to God’s covenant provision

Work of perfection

·         Restitution facilitates our perfection virtues

Unity

·         Restitution is necessary for unity

Conditional forgiveness

·         God may offer conditional forgiveness, with a responsibility on our part to reswtitute

 

5. Explain in your own words the meaning of the key verse.

“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 33:15)

The wicked?

·         A sinner is a wicked person but, there is yet hope to be transformed

·         Satan is the author of spiritual wickedness, in high places

·         The works of the flesh are wicked

·         While we may not choose to be wicked, but the works defines the identity

Restoration

·         The wicked have the opportunity to change his/her Master

·         God’s solution is not mere damage control but total transformation from wickedness to righteousness

·         However, it is conditional and still a personal choice

High God, high blessed life, high Heaven

·         God’s standard is high, at a price for unlimited present and eternal benefits

Life’s principles (ways of God)

·         Life is a gift and life is beautiful

·         The manual of life are the statutes and laws of God

·         Remove or ignore God’s principles, the remains would be disastrous

·         Life without God is shattered dream

Restitution & Transformation

·         When we restitute, we get transformed and empowered

Spiritual insurance and assurance

·         Abundant life is opened to whosoever will take steps of repentance and obedience

Keeping the legacy/Defending our spiritual liberty

·         If you have this abundant life, keep it, maintain it and defend it when necessary

 

6. What evidence do we have that Zacchaeus, in his heart, met the required conditions spoken of in the key verse?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Luke 19:8 Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Evidence?

·         Incontrovertible

·         Clear and substantial

Evidence based

·         Salvation is evidence based

·         Inputs of confession, repentance and restitution where necessary

·         Output of a changed life and methods of operations

Deliberate

·         It is not passive

·         You have to be decisive

·         It requires actions

Vantage point

·         Sinful actions may be hidden

·         But when transformation happens, it is in public view

He who comes to equity

·         There must be a great change

·         Old living and lifestyles must change

·         Old scores must be squared away

It is done: Act, activate, appropriate, kick start

 

7. Why is it as important to make a small restitution as it is a large one?

Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

1John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin:..

Impact

·         All sins have same root of wickedness from a wicked heart

·         All sins attract same consequences – death

·         If it is a sin – unrighteousness, it must be dealt with

A little… Little is much

·         Just a little is enough to do the havoc

·         Little is much when sin is involved

Eternity is bigger/paramount (essence of life)

·         Heaven is cheap at any price of clearing sinful effects

Heaven is a must (What alternative?)

·         Do you have another alternative to heaven?

·         There is only one heaven, and the Author and Builder is God

·         Do it God’s way

 

8. What happens if we refuse to make a restitution?

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

What happens when we do it?

·         We enjoy the full benefits and blessings

·         Wonderful interpersonal relationship with our fellow men

·         Good relationship with God

We missed the above

Spiritual impact

·         Spiritual life becomes a drudgery

Personal impact

·         Bad health

·         Many stress

·         Lack of peace

·         Lack of joy

Interpersonal relationship impact

·         Less friends

·         Bad relationships with people

Family & Community impact

·         Hindrance to communal benefits

·         Troubled home

Blessing impact

·         Loose the joy and blessing that comes with making restitution

Eternity impact

·         Hindrance to heaven

 

9. What are some of the benefits that might be received as a result of making a restitution?

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Salvation

·         The greatest first asset that a man can possess is salvation

·         No price is too great to pay to obtain and maintain our salvation

·         Make it right and defend the most precious gift ever

Conscience void of offence

·         There is a spiritual Police within the heart

·         The swift and quicker we listen and comply the better

·         Clear conscience towards all

·         Clear conscience towards God: Can boldly say “My God…”

Inward peace

·         Peace that passeth understanding

·         Joy, real joy

Health benefits

·         No jerky or troubled heartbeats at the sight of the person offended

 

CONCLUSSION:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Whatever God deemed necessary is for our best interest. We want to have God’s best at all – nothing prevernting the least of His favour. We want to keep the way clear and let nothing between –“ And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men (Acts 24:16).

CHALLENGE:

How much of this “exercise” have you engaged in, of recent? It is time to shed away all the overweight “frictions” excesses and travel light. JUST DO IT! – TODAY!

THE OLD ACCOUNT SETTLED

There was a time, I know,
When in the book of heaven,
An old account was standing
For sins yet unforgiven;
My name was at the top
And many things below,
I went unto the Keeper,
And settled long ago.

Refrain:
Long ago, long ago,
Yes, the old account was settled long ago;
And the record’s clear today,
For He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.