To some people these two words (Resolution and Restitution) mean the same thing. A lot of people, including many Christians, find it difficult to differentiate between the two words, and often make the same mistake of using them interchangeably. But there are lots of differences between the two. The word resolution means to be firm in a decision making, or a determination to do, or not to do one thing or the other. While restitution is the act of giving that which was lost or stolen, back to its proper owner.
From the above definitions, it is clear that the two words have different meanings; one is an element of the other. In the process of making restitution, a firm determination has to come in, before restitution can be fully acknowledged. That is to say restitution is one of the many steps that lead to restitution.
Making New Year resolution is a common practice among both believers and non-believers, especially when a year is about ending or at the beginning of a new year.
In Leviticus 6:1-4,” And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, if a soul sin, and commits a trespass against the Lord, and he unto his neighbor 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 this that a man doeth sinning there in; then it shall be, because he has 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’. You can also read Exodus 22:1-3, Proverbs 6:30-31 and Ezekiel 33:15.
All the above quotations from the scripture point towards one particular act; that restitution is meant for sinners. These sinners are in two categories: those that are still in the act of sinning and are caught in the act may be asked to make restitution of the act. For example, a man caught stealing may be asked to pay back what he had stolen in seven folds (Proverb 6:31, Ezekiah 33:15).
Those that are one-time sinners but now born-again the scripture says they are new creatures; old things have passed away (2 Cor 2:17). Restitution is not a thing that one can just do, If not led by the spirit of God. Restitution, is mostly done, when the sinner is convinced and convicted by the Holy Spirit to do restitution , But there are come certain things or circumstances that one cannot restore (restitute).
For example, one who had been a murderer, cannot restore the lives that he has wasted through the barrel of the gun; neither can a rapist restore the virginity of those he had raped. One can only restitute in some areas (especially physical object), but not on some irredeemable situations or circumstances that bother on emotion.
This is the more reason the person making restitution will have to make sure, God through the Holy Spirit is the one leading him. And if he is restoring a physical object to the owner, this might cause the owner to be curious about the man new faith and in the process, he too might become a believer.
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
The best resolution anyone can make is to accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and saviour, and this can take place at any time of the year.
There are many reasons people tend to make New Year resolution, but we will briefly talk about three.
- People make New Year resolution because they want to change from one particular way of life.
- People make New Year resolution because they believe something was obviously wrong in their life styles that need correction.
- People make New Year resolution because of the fear of the future.
However, most people’s New Year resolutions don’t stand the test of time before they all fall away like a pack of cards. The reasons are not far-fetched.
- Most resolutions are not backed by the spirit of God.
- Most resolutions are not from sincere hearts and are hindered by the environment.
- Most resolutions are not based on the word of God.
But if a Christian must make a resolution and wants to keep it, then;
- Let him/her invite the Holy Spirit into that resolution
- Let it be from a sincere heart (Psalm17: 8)
- Let him/her not succumb to the pressure of the environment (Dan 1:8)
- Let such resolution be based on the word of God
- Let him/her back it up with prayers and fasting
- Let him/her make Jesus the main reason for his/her resolution.
It is a common thing at the beginning of the New Year to see many people trying to abstain from alcoholism, fornication, adultery, smoking, stealing, lying, back-biting, lateness etc, but before you know it there are back to these things. You can’t make a resolution successfully without first accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. That is the first step.
As a believer, you need resolution more importantly than restitution. The reason been that, restitution is based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit while resolution is what you know yourself, that this thing if I continue in it, it can cost me eternity with Christ, then I need to be determined to do away with it prayerfully.
However, it should be noted that resolution does not have to be a New Year syndrome but an everyday affair, so as to correct the abnormalities we notice in our life styles. Moreso, resolution is not mere abstaining from improper lifestyle to adhere to a proper lifestyle. It is a firm decision backed with strong conviction that it must be so.
#Rev. Dr. Mrs. V.M Balogun is the General Overseer of He’s Alive Ministries (a.k.a Christ Gospel Miracle Centre) Aladesuru, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos.
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: WHAT ARE THEY WORTH?
The eve of each passing year, many people make promises popularly called ‘new year resolution. How many people actually keep them?
It is a yearly ritual observed at the eve of every dying year. At churches, at drinking joints, inside disco halls, on the streets, everywhere, people take stock of the outgoing year and spot something they had done wrong or something they had not done well and, without anybody prodding them, submit themselves to censorship. Thus, you hear people say: “this coming year, I won’t smoke again” and so on and so forth.
The yearly ritual is called ‘New Year Resolution.’ What does it mean? Do people actually keep to their New Year resolutions? Is it not just an exercise in self-deceit if only because the resolution never lasts even the first month of the New Year? Is there any point in making promises that one cannot fulfill? What does it mean in these days of uncertainties? Days when you can never plan for tomorrow?
Many people spoken to on the issue are indifferent about it all. Though some claim they still do it, others however, say they do not even know the difference between a new year and an old one. Mr. Francis Abere, an accountant with First Bank Plc., says, it’s all a waste of time and self-delusion. “He asks: “what do I gain by it? After all, it is your old bad habits that you resolve not to go back to. In that case, I have few to bother my head about.”
Tuned Alabere, a secretary with D.G. Adelakun and Co.’, a law firming Ebute Metta, Lagos, supports Abere “what is the use in these days of economic and political mess around? “He ponders. “Personally, what I do at the beginning of each year is to pray to God to give me the power and courage to face the wish to have my own and raise a family. But I don’t regard it as a New Year resolution. I don’t make New Year resolution. What I have heard people make resolution on are their bad habits they wish to drop like smoking, drinking and other vices. As for me, I don’t engage in them.”
As another new year rolls in, it is obvious that across the land and clime, people will still embark on the yearly ritual of making resolution about what they are going to do and what they are not going to engage in this new year.
Sola Akande, a trader in electronics at Ojuelegba, Lagos says he is going to quit smoking this year by the special grace of God. I have tried to kick the habit more than twice, but I’m desperate to call it quit with it, it’s getting me uncomfortable these days. I don’t even mind the amount of money it consumes from me monthly, what is driving me mad is the nuisance I have become at home and among my friends who don’t smoke. I was thoroughly embarrassed one day when I saw my four-year old boy picked a stub of cigarette on the floor and put it in his mouth as if he wanted to smoke. I felt ashamed. Luckily no one was around, I quickly snatched it from him and threw it out of the window, from that moment it had dawned on me that the time is up to bid the habit a farewell. So I’m quitting this habit as from December 31, 2023. I want to drop that nauseating smell of smoke.”
As Akande is praying for a fighting spirit against smoking so also is James, an automobile engineer at the mechanic village on Shagamu road Lagos, begging God to deliver him from the alluring power of alcohol. According to the dark complexion engineer, alcohol has taken the better part of him. “Ï want to stop drinking in this New Year,” he told our reporters. It has taken the better part of me. It has robbed me of the goodwill of my customer nobody wants to give his vehicle to incorrigible drunkard. I’m quitting.”
Just as the duo of Akande and James pledged to drop smoking and drinking respectively, Mrs. Felicia Omotola (real name) says her New Year resolution is to become faithful to her husband. “My New Year resolution is to drive all men friends who I’ve been having affairs with. I know this is bad. I have confessed this to God and asked for forgiveness. In the New Year, even if my drinking joint is going to park up, so be it. I do want to use my body to fill up pock I’m through with that habit. God bring customers who will not lust after my body before they patronize me.
At the eve of each passing year, many people make promises popularly called ‘new year resolution’. Ho many actually keep them? Is it that easy to kick a habit? That what the New Year resolution tries to and as long as human beings continue it remain whet they are-vulnerable mortal there will be vices to be kicked and virtue to imbibe. The time to do either however may or may not necessarily be at the beginning of a new year. Culled from The Punch newspaper
