When you deliberately blow it big time!

“...While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...” (Luke 15:20, NIV)

Everyone is familiar with the prodigal son story. It’s about a boy who asks his father for an early inheritance, and then he goes to a faraway land and squanders all of it on wild living and evil friends. When his money and friends disappear and he faces starvation, he secures a job feeding pigs. At that point, his hunger is so intense that he finds himself tempted to eat pig slop. Then he comes to his senses and realizes he has sinned against both God and his father. He remembers how good he had it at home and that even his father’s servants had plenty to eat. He chooses to return home, confess his sins to his father, and ask to be a servant. But his father, who sees him coming a long way off, is filled with compassion for him. He runs to his son, throws his arms around him, and kisses him. His father then puts a new robe on him, places a ring on his finger, and then throws a big welcome back party to celebrate his return. By the way, Jesus, who is telling this story, explains that this is how God is toward us when we go astray and then repent and return. Even when we deliberately mess up, God sees us coming back “along way off” and runs to us with total forgiveness, restoration, provision, and a welcome-back party!

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

God’s steadfast love and compassion

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalms 103:10-14 ESV)

Therefore

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Quotes

“God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.” - Henry Ward Beecher

“When we stray from His presence, He longs for you to come back. He weeps that you are missing out on His love, protection and provision. He throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.” - Charles Stanley