Run Over by the Grace TrainSample

DAY 3: Grace Sanctifies Both the Rebel and the Religious

Imagine someone throwing you the most spectacular surprise birthday party. Your closest friends are there: eating, laughing, and dancing. The party is full of joy and celebration because you are so loved. As wonderful as this sounds, a party like this can’t hold a candle to the lavish party Grace throws.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the title makes it sound like there is only one son lost, but as you read the parable, you realize both sons are lost. One son is lost in rebellion, and one is lost in religion, and there is a lavish father in the middle of them. The party the father throws for the rebellious son that has returned doesn’t make sense to the older son and even offends him, but that is exactly what grace does. It doesn’t make sense to the lost world and often offends our precious little egos.

The extravagant party thrown for the son points to the extravagant grace God pours out to the one who RSVPs to the party. It points to a future party in Heaven where there won’t be any rebellion or precious little egos. When we think we must clean ourselves up for God to love us, or work for His approval, we don’t know the true lavish Father.

The truth is that there is more grace in Jesus than sin in you. There is more forgiveness than you can imagine. Confess your sins to God and receive His lavish love.