GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 7

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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RECONCILIATION: WORTH EVERY PENNY

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8

D.L. MOODY

A short speech, but how the words have come ringing down through the ages! By making that remark, Zacchaeus confessed his sin—that he had been dishonest. Besides that, he showed that he knew the requirements of the law of Moses. If a man had taken what did not belong to him, he was not only to return it, but to multiply it by four. I think that men in this dispensation ought to be fully as honest as men under the Law. I am getting so tired and sick of your mere sentimentalism that does not straighten out a man’s life. We may sing our hymns and psalms, and offer prayers, but they will be an abomination to God unless we are willing to be thoroughly straightforward in our daily life. Nothing will give Christianity such a hold upon the world as to have God’s believing people begin to act in this way. Zacchaeus had probably more influence in Jericho after he made restitution than any other man in it.

ERWIN LUTZER

Restitution is always a product of revival. The restoration of stolen goods and the mending of broken relationships have been used by God to soften the hearts of those indifferent or even hardened to the gospel. It’s not enough for us to claim a wonderful relationship with God unless we have done all we can to be reconciled to those we have wronged.

Because God seeks reconciliation, we should seek it also on behalf of others (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Sin divides, grace unites. As Paul said in Acts 24:16, “I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.”

No doubt Zacchaeus had a positive impact in Jericho. He was willing to be reconciled to those he had wronged, even at a great personal cost.

    PRAYER

    Father, reveal to me the names of those I have wronged, giving me the grace to make it right.

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Luke 19:8

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.”

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John 21:15 (Jesus restores Peter)

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

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Galatians 6:1

    “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

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Luke 6:37

    “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

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Mark 11:25

    “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

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2 Corinthians 5:18

    “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

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Matthew 5:23-24

    “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

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Ezekiel 33:15

if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

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Hebrews 13:19

But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

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