This is NOT meant as a metaphor. I'm totally forgiven. But I think many, including the person picking up shards of glass from the carpet would think that that forgiveness (a) doesn't wipe out every debt, (b) actually prompts me to pay my debts.I meant a REAL window NOT a metaphorical one. True story: a girl drove into the corner of my fencing when she should have been looking at the road. She knocked the corner skew-wise. Doesn't she owe ME something?
Jesus paid for all the windows you will ever break.
So why does the judge down at General Dis'ric' Court say I have to make restitution? What, seriously, is the meaning of that? If I told Judge Barclay Jesus had already paid for the windows, he'd warn me and then I'd end up doing time for contempt or having a garnishment served on me or something.
While every sin is forgiven, there are also times when we are to pay restitution to those we have done something to. The payment is owed to the one whom damage is done. Sometimes you damage more than one person, you pay to all the people you have damaged. When it comes to damages against God, all restitution is already paid. The girl who drove into your fence owes you for a fence, regardless of how sorry she is, and you, being the magnanimous person you are, could forgive her of all damages. If, however, her brother came to you and said “My sister is learning to drive, and she might hit your fence, here is enough money to cover any damages she might do.” then you should not expect any more payment. In other words, she is ALREADY forgiven.