God Celebrates Your Return to Grace
Have you lived most of your life like many of us have, under the law system?
Have you ever felt that you no longer deserved God’s acceptance or love? Or that your mistakes had left you too far gone for Him to ever want you back? In today’s short clip, Paul reveals the beautiful truth that Father not only welcomes you back, He comes running to you, ready to embrace you!
The last of the Apostle Paul’s much mores is found in Romans 5:20 (NASB), “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Do you find you’re constantly trying to live up to God’s standards, and failing? In frustration, perhaps you throw your hands in the air and say, “What’s the use? I’m just going to enjoy life and have all the fun I want.” Or maybe you’ve slid so far down that behavioural slide, engaging in activities you never thought you’d do, that you feel guilty and ashamed.
In your heart, you know you need to run to God, but you feel so distant from Him.
Maybe you feel like you no longer deserve His acceptance or His love, and that you’re too far gone for Him to ever want you back. It reminds me of the story in Luke 15 of the son who demanded his share of the inheritance and ran away from home. After some time passed, he lost everything he had, including his dignity. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat what the pigs ate. He came to his senses and realized that even the servants in his father’s household were treated better and had a much better life than he was experiencing.
The son swallowed his pride and humbly made his way back home, fully expecting some form of punishment or disciplinary action from his father. However,
The father saw him coming from afar and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, lavishing him with kisses and hugs. Excitedly, he gave his son brand new clothes, new shoes, a family ring, and if that wasn’t enough...he even wanted to throw a party for his son to celebrate his return!
This is a beautiful illustration of how God treats his children who wander off on their own. Perhaps you’ve gone your own way, you’ve squandered everything, you’ve gotten into all kinds of trouble, or you feel undeserving, guilty and ashamed. If this is you,
God not only welcomes you - that’s an understatement - He’s running to you.
His arms are outstretched, full of compassion, ready to restore and replenish everything you need. Then to top it off, He wants to celebrate your return!
Remember the verse in Romans 5:20b (NASB) that says, “but where sin increased, grace ABOUNDED all the more.” (emphasis added)
This is the heart of your Heavenly Father towards you.
The guilt and the shame you feel will dissipate in the arms of Jesus and the grace of Jesus, which abounds MUCH MORE than your sin! I pray that you will experience the grace of Jesus in your life today!
Each week, Paul sends out a letter to his subscribers containing personal and helpful truths designed to help you experience the beautiful truths of the New Covenant. Sign up here.