Pastor David KoopKarl Menninger, the famed psychiatrist, once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day! - Today in the Word, March 1989. The famous parable Jesus told of the prodigal son illustrates the forgiving nature of our heavenly Father. Listen now
- There were two basic decisions that brought the son to his desperate condition:
1. He decided he wanted to be independent of his father. The first step toward ruin in our lives is to decide to run our own lives, independent of God.
2. He decided to find fulfilment in unrestraint, wasteful living. Not only did he spend his inheritance, Jesus makes it clear he wasted it. It was a waste because it didn’t deliver what is promised.
Just like this man’s relationship with his father was restored, so our relationship with God can be restored.
There are some necessary steps we will need to make to restore our relationship with God.
- The first step is to admit the stupidity of staying where we are.
Luke 15:17
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!”
What brings us to our senses?
- When we feel the pain of the trap.
- When we see the freedom on the other side.
- When others have been praying for us.
In the parable of the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10 the sweeping represents the sweeping action of prayer to push back the darkness of a filthy life. The light of the lamp represents the message of God's love shining on the lost coin (soul). See 2 Cor. 4:3-6 and Acts 26:17.
- The second step is to return to God with a repentant, humble attitude.
Luke 15:18-20a
‘I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”’ So he returned home to his father.
Notice:
- He knew that his father could not bless him where he was.
- He did not minimize his behaviour as if it were no big deal.
- He took full personal responsibility for his decisions and actions.
- He thought about the goodness of his father.
Repentance in the Greek comes from two words, meta – to change, and noeo – meaning mind. Repentance means to change your mind on what God really thinks about you. From thinking God is out to get you, to God loves you. (Rom. 2:4)
- The third step is to recognize that God will lovingly welcome you home.
Luke 15:20b-24
"And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began."
Notice the depth of the love of the father:
- He didn’t go and get his son by force.
- He was looking, waiting and hoping for the son’s return.
- He was filled with compassion, not anger and condemnation.
- He displayed great affection as he hugged and kissed his son.
- He quickly accepted and restored the son by giving him a robe, sandals and a ring. These three items were status symbols of sonship because a slave would never be allowed to wear these things.
- The fourth step is to be a carrier of God’s grace to others.
Matt. 6:14,15 (Message Bible)
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”
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