The Prodigal GodSample

The prodigal God—Lesson 3

No sin is too big or done too often. No sin is too damaging to destroy God the Father’s love for you. What sin have you committed that you fear God still holds against you?

The sinful son in Luke 15 basically told his dad he wished his dad was dead and then disrespected his father’s lifelong work by wildly spending his inheritance. But the son knew his father, so he returned and repented. The father didn’t make his son grovel in sorrow to earn back his favor. “His father was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

In Jewish culture, men wore long robes and didn’t run. It was considered highly undignified. But the prodigal love of the father caused him to sprint to his son.

God treats you the same: “I love you, so I will run to you.” When God the Father runs to you, he finds you a mess. The son in the parable was a mess, yet the father embraced him. That son reeked! He lived with pigs!

Your heavenly Father runs to you and embraces you just as you are with his presence. He lovingly washes away your sins and adorns you with his perfection. He welcomes you, not as a slave trying to earn back his favor. God gives you his prodigal, lavishly spent grace. He counts you as his and calls you his son or daughter! He treats you as if you never left. Oh, what amazing love!

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