Numbers 5:5-7 says:
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

It tells us that the ones who shall confess their sin, shall also recompense his trespass. We sometimes think that asking God to forgive us is enough, (AND IF OUR SIN WAS TO GOD ONLY THEN IT IS) but if our sin was against someone else then we must make what the Bible says is “

”.

This word means

and is best defined as something that has been

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. While it is so wonderful to think about how God restores us after we confess our sins, what about the fruit of that restoration?

Maybe you believe this is an old fashioned or Old Testament thing that was only for Israel and the instructions that God gave unto them while they were in the land of Canaan… but let’s look at another area of scripture that would help us understand that there are “

” that accompany true confessional prayer.

A

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SIGN (

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)

Luke 19:1-4 says:
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

It was clear to everyone that Zacchaeus is a sinner.

A

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SIGN (

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)

Luke 19:5-7 says:
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

Maybe after reading these scriptures up to this point you would have placed the sign of the one was seeking upon Zacchaeus. While it’s true that Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus, look closer at what it said…

Luke 19:3 says:
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

The Bible said that Jesus did these things:
1. Jesus came to the place (He

to him)
2. Jesus looked up (He

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for him)
3. Jesus saw him (He

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him)
4. Jesus spoke to him (He

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to him)

There is not a clearer sign in all of scripture than that the Lord is the ONE who comes looking for us!

Ezekiel 34:16 says:
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Romans 5:6 says:
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Hebrews 7:25 says:
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

REMEMBER: That while Jesus comes seeking, and we can rejoice in seeking Him… Not everyone who comes around is seeking God! Some of them are seeking division, selfishness, and their own glory.

Luke 19:7 says:
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

THE

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SIGN (

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)

Luke 19:8-10 says:
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Look closely here!
1. Zacchaeus

Jesus into his home
2. Zacchaeus

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of his sin and wrongdoings
3. Zacchaeus

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back everything, and above it four times, to the ones he had done wrong

“The thief has not repented who keeps the money he stole. He may have conviction, but no repentance. If he had repentance, he would go and give back the money. If you have cheated anyone, and do not restore what you have taken unjustly, or if you have injured anyone, and do not set about to undo the wrong you have done, as far as in you lies, you have not truly repented.” —Charles Finney

“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.”
—D. L. Moody

If truth is found in signs, then there are

signs like the one that says we are sinners.

Then there are

signs, like the scriptures that say…

Luke 19:10 says:
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Then there is the

sign: That when a person is born-again, when they have repented of their sins, when they have confessed their iniquity to God, the will also make retribution or restoration of their sins if it has been done unto others as well as God.

Luke 19:9 says:
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.