When you blow it big time… deliberately!

“…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)

You Can Always Come Home

Jesus told the story of a young man who deliberately made terrible choices. He asked his father for his inheritance, left home, and squandered everything on wild living. When his money and friends were gone, he became so desperate that he took a job feeding pigs and was hungry enough to eat their food.

Then he came to his senses.

He realized he had sinned against God and his father. So he decided to return home, confess what he had done, and ask to become a servant.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him home. Instead of condemnation, there was forgiveness, restoration, and celebration!

Jesus was showing us the heart of our heavenly Father. Even when we deliberately blow it, we can repent and come home. God is ready to forgive and restore us.

“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)

Therefore

If you have blown it big time, don’t stay in the pigpen! Come home. Confess your sin, turn back to God, and receive His forgiveness.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 ESV)

“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 throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.” — Charles Stanley