If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. (Lev. 6:2-5)
The Lord made some specific instructions concerning false witness and those that gain by it. When they were found out, or when they repented and confessed, they were to restore, not only the original amount defrauded, but also a fifth part in addition, regardless of the method of fraud. When the repentant sinner brought his offering, he must first settle accounts with his neighbor before he came to God with his trespass offering, including paying the interest on his ill-gotten gains.
God wanted the Israelites to be good neighbors and in a right relationship with each other and with Him. He knew that violence, lies, and secrets which increased the goods of one at the expense of another would foster ill feelings and resentment, especially when they became known. He also wanted the Israelites to understand that sin, even when it is repented of and confessed to God cost something, and in this case, not only would it cost the sacrifice for trespass but also the interest on the ‘loan’ when it was restored to the rightful owner.
While the offering for trespass is no longer required, for Christ is our final offering for sin, the principle of restoration and reconciliation still holds true. While those who are in Christ ought not to even entertain defrauding their neighbor or lying about gains, if they do so despite what God teaches, they should repent and be reconciled with the one defrauded and with God. This will require restoring what was taken and the principle of adding the fifth part thereto is still in play, for God does not change and expects His people to pay that which they owe. Christians who defraud another can be forgiven because of the finished and perfect work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary but none are free from the consequences and the cost of this sin or any other should we stumble into them. We should grow to sin less and less as we grow to be more like Christ but we must understand the principles which God puts forth of restoration and reconciliation as we strive to love our neighbors as ourselves.
God has sent us out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
God wanted the Israelites to be good neighbors and in a right relationship with each other and with Him. He knew that violence, lies, and secrets which increased the goods of one at the expense of another would foster ill feelings and resentment, especially when they became known. He also wanted the Israelites to understand that sin, even when it is repented of and confessed to God cost something, and in this case, not only would it cost the sacrifice for trespass but also the interest on the ‘loan’ when it was restored to the rightful owner.
While the offering for trespass is no longer required, for Christ is our final offering for sin, the principle of restoration and reconciliation still holds true. While those who are in Christ ought not to even entertain defrauding their neighbor or lying about gains, if they do so despite what God teaches, they should repent and be reconciled with the one defrauded and with God. This will require restoring what was taken and the principle of adding the fifth part thereto is still in play, for God does not change and expects His people to pay that which they owe. Christians who defraud another can be forgiven because of the finished and perfect work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary but none are free from the consequences and the cost of this sin or any other should we stumble into them. We should grow to sin less and less as we grow to be more like Christ but we must understand the principles which God puts forth of restoration and reconciliation as we strive to love our neighbors as ourselves.
God has sent us out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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