I'm learning so many lessons from my Father in His parable, "The Prodigal Son," which I think is a perfect subject to write about because it is the truth and it is all about grace.
The truth is, you can always turn around and go Home.
No matter how deep in the pigpen mire you may be, when you come to yourself, and say I'm going back to my Father, you can. If there was something you've done, some perversion you participated in, that was so terrible God couldn't forgive ... that would make that sin greater than God, and we know that is not true.
Our God is all powerful and can defeat any chain of sin trying to hold us back.
There is only one thing that would keep Him from forgiving and that would be if we didn't ask. He has given us free choice and He will never force us to come to Him. (I do think sometimes He arranges events that would turn our thoughts toward home ...)
Don't forget the turn around part, though. So many think they can whisper a prayer and keep on in their sin and it will be okay.
God is a holy righteous God and cannot abide sin. Don't think He will wink and look the other way.
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| The Road to My Childhood Home |
But if you make up your mind and turn towards the way Home - away from all the bad stuff - He will help, lead and guide.
Which is what grace is all about, my friend. No, the prodigal didn't deserve royal treatment from the Father, but he got it anyway because the Father loves so much.
‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ (Luke 15:22-24 ESV)
Yes, my Father teaches much in this parable, but the thing that sticks with me is this: you can always turn around and go Home.
God indeed is gracious to forgive and he is always all knowing that we will fail and more than likely sin again, however, he also knows our heart and he knows if we are trying to break that which caused us to sin before. I am so thankful he is a slow suffering God and forgives us not just once but so many times.
ReplyDeletebetty
Hi Jerralea! I liked your stress on the fact that we do have to 'turn around'. We need to be at home with the Father!
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoy the Prodigal Son. Have you ever read "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Henri Nouwen? It's really good. Lots of insights on the story. I bet you'd love it!
Happy Monday :)
Ceil
Yes, this is such a powerful lesson: "You can always turn around and go Home." I thank God for being the kind of Father who runs to us with open arms when we run home smelling like pigs. Thanks for sharing what you're learning, Jerralea. Good lessons for all of us.
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