# Repentance and Restitution explained — The Way to God and How to Find It

> Chapter companion for The Way to God and How to Find It by D. L. Moody.

## What happens

Moody clarifies the true nature of repentance, distinguishing it from fear, feeling, fasting, remorse, conviction of sin, prayer, and merely breaking off one sin. He defines repentance as a complete change of mind and direction—a 'right about face'—that leads to turning from all sin and toward God. He emphasizes that true repentance produces fruit, including restitution for wrongs done, and illustrates this with stories of individuals who made restitution and found peace.

## Themes in this chapter

### True Repentance

Moody defines repentance as a complete change of mind and direction, not merely fear, feeling, or remorse. It involves turning from all sin and producing fruit.

### Faith and Belief in Christ

True repentance is linked to believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our offences and raised for our justification.

### Human Inability and Divine Grace

Moody emphasizes that it is God's goodness, not our badness, that leads to repentance, and that restitution is necessary before receiving forgiveness.

## Character check-ins

### Moody

Preaches on repentance and restitution, offering counsel and examples.

### John the Baptist

His message was 'Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

### Jesus Christ

Took up the same cry of repentance and taught the parable of the two sons.

### Peter

On the day of Pentecost, preached repentance.

### Paul

At Athens, declared that God commands all men everywhere to repent.

### Judas

Had remorse but not repentance; his example shows the difference.

## Key lines

> Repentance is not fear.

Feeling afraid or alarmed does not necessarily mean you have repented.

_Moody clarifies that fear alone is not repentance._

> Repentance is not feeling.

Having strong emotions or feeling sorry is not the same as repentance.

_Moody distinguishes repentance from mere emotional responses._

> Repentance is not fasting and afflicting the body.

Going without food or punishing your body does not constitute repentance.

_Moody rejects external rituals as true repentance._

> Neither is it remorse.

Feeling guilty or regretful is not repentance.

_Judas felt remorse but did not repent._

> Repentance is not conviction of sin.

Being convicted of sin is not the same as repenting.

_Moody notes that many are convicted but do not turn from sin._

> Neither is praying — Repentance.

Praying alone does not mean you have repented.

_Moody warns that prayer without turning from sin is not repentance._

> it is not breaking off some one sin.

Stopping one particular sin is not repentance.

_True repentance involves turning from all sin._

> True Repentance is not merely breaking off this or that particular sin.

Repentance is not just giving up a few bad habits.

_Moody emphasizes the need for a complete change._

> it is 'right about face!'

Repentance is a complete turn in the opposite direction.

_Moody defines repentance as a radical change of direction._

> If a man says, 'By the grace of God I will forsake my sin, and do His will,' that is Repentance—a turning right about.

When someone decides to leave sin and follow God, that is true repentance.

_Moody gives a practical definition of repentance._

> If we have done wrong to anyone we should never ask God to forgive us, until we are willing to make restitution.

We must be willing to make amends for wrongs before seeking God's forgiveness.

_Moody stresses the importance of restitution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vi-repentance-and-restitution
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters