Word@Work Luke246 - Luke 15:20-24
Published: Wed, 12/01/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
REPENTANCE LEADS TO RESTORATION
Luke 15:20-24 So he got up and went to his father. "But 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. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. (NIV)
Repentance always takes you back to where you sinned, so that you can admit that it was wrong and determine not to follow that path again. In Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son the foolish young man had decided to repent, but knew he had to return to his father's house to deliver his confession and seek his mercy. But his father was already waiting for his return. Seeing him in the distance the old man ran to greet him, driven by love. Wrapped in parental embrace, the prodigal admitted his sin against God and his father.
He may have expected recrimination; but no! His father not only accepted the apology but gave him no time to beg for a servant's job. Instead he was fully reinstated as a son. More than that, a great celebration was organised and the errant son was made 'guest of honour' with new clothes. The ring was the family signet ring, showing that the father now fully trusted the young man with his business.
In the parable, the father represents Father God: His grace is so generous that even those who have wasted their inheritance are given as much again when they come back in repentance. Jesus was teaching that true repentance leads to full restoration of relationship with God. What amazing grace! The devil does not like that message and so sows evil seeds of doubt. Satan says, "You are not good enough to be accepted ... you will have to do many good things to prove you are trustworthy ... you can never have the same place in God's affections again ... how do you know your repentance is real ... how can you trust yourself again ... God will not welcome you through the front door!" However God says, "Welcome, celebrate; my son is home again"!
So, don't listen to Satan's lies or believe that relationship with God depends on your goodness. It is two-way. When you repent Father God comes to meet you, welcome you and restore you. That is the wonder of the Gospel. Please share it with your friends and colleagues who are crushed under the legacy of their own sin or the cruelty of others. www.crosscheck.org.uk may help them too.
Prayer: Gracious God. I am in awe at the strength of Your love which reaches out to everyone who confesses their sinful wanderings. Please help me to be well practised in repentance so that I come back to You every time I stray, deciding that it was wrong and confessing to those I have sinned against - including You. Please help me to reject the devil's lies when he tells me that complete restoration is not possible; because I know that through faith in Jesus Christ I can be made new. Help me also to tell my friends, whose hearts ache through a guilty conscience and sense of rejection, that You really will welcome and restore every sinner who repents. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Repentance always takes you back to where you sinned, so that you can admit that it was wrong and determine not to follow that path again. In Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son the foolish young man had decided to repent, but knew he had to return to his father's house to deliver his confession and seek his mercy. But his father was already waiting for his return. Seeing him in the distance the old man ran to greet him, driven by love. Wrapped in parental embrace, the prodigal admitted his sin against God and his father.
He may have expected recrimination; but no! His father not only accepted the apology but gave him no time to beg for a servant's job. Instead he was fully reinstated as a son. More than that, a great celebration was organised and the errant son was made 'guest of honour' with new clothes. The ring was the family signet ring, showing that the father now fully trusted the young man with his business.
In the parable, the father represents Father God: His grace is so generous that even those who have wasted their inheritance are given as much again when they come back in repentance. Jesus was teaching that true repentance leads to full restoration of relationship with God. What amazing grace! The devil does not like that message and so sows evil seeds of doubt. Satan says, "You are not good enough to be accepted ... you will have to do many good things to prove you are trustworthy ... you can never have the same place in God's affections again ... how do you know your repentance is real ... how can you trust yourself again ... God will not welcome you through the front door!" However God says, "Welcome, celebrate; my son is home again"!
So, don't listen to Satan's lies or believe that relationship with God depends on your goodness. It is two-way. When you repent Father God comes to meet you, welcome you and restore you. That is the wonder of the Gospel. Please share it with your friends and colleagues who are crushed under the legacy of their own sin or the cruelty of others. www.crosscheck.org.uk may help them too.
Prayer: Gracious God. I am in awe at the strength of Your love which reaches out to everyone who confesses their sinful wanderings. Please help me to be well practised in repentance so that I come back to You every time I stray, deciding that it was wrong and confessing to those I have sinned against - including You. Please help me to reject the devil's lies when he tells me that complete restoration is not possible; because I know that through faith in Jesus Christ I can be made new. Help me also to tell my friends, whose hearts ache through a guilty conscience and sense of rejection, that You really will welcome and restore every sinner who repents. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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