“‘…if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’”
-Luke 19:8b, NIV
A truly repentant Cheater will offer restitution.
This is what I see from this famous story about Jesus meeting Zacchaeus. Jesus did not insist on this. The offer was freely offered by Zaccheaus. He had met the living God who saw him and loved him. This was his response.
And it was generous! Zacchaeus offered FOUR times as much as he took. He was far from stingy.
Restitution is important as it is a way set things right. It is about justice.
The reality, though, is sad. Most Cheaters will never offer restitution. They are stuck in entitlement and believe the lies that they “had to” cheat. Some even believe the sad lie that they are the victim.
Such individuals are not going to offer restitution for they have failed to grasp the wrong they’ve done. They felt entitled to all the marital assets they stole and spent on their affairs. These individuals are far from sorry.
No wrong, no restitution. AND no real repentance.
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*A version of this post ran previously.
