By RaeLynn DeAngelis
Gerry and I had been invited to our friend’s birthday celebration. It was on the same day we were to attend a funeral service for a friend. I thought to myself, how ironic. Two celebrations on the same day, one celebrating life on earth, the other life in heaven. How quickly our lives pass from one to the next.
“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (John 4:14).
Since both events were taking place on the same side of town, I asked my friend if it was okay if we came straight from the funeral to their house, even though we would be overdressed. She said, “Of course, come as you are!
That statement “come as you are” reminds me of a very important truth about God and how He responds when we come to Him as first-time believers or when we repent after falling away. Luke, chapter fifteen highlights this beautiful truth in a profound way.
In the well-known parable about the prodigal son, a wealthy father agrees to distribute his son’s inheritance early. The youngest son, instead of investing his inheritance wisely, took his money, ran away, and squandered it on wild living until he found himself broke, starving, and lying in a literal pig pen.
As I revisited this story, I noticed three important steps the prodigal son had taken. I believe they are the same steps we can take when we find ourselves backsliding or slipping into sin. Recognize. Reason. Return.
First, the wayward son recognized where he was. Then he reasoned out his next move. And finally, he returned to his father.
Like the prodigal son, it’s extremely important to evaluate our situation when we find ourselves in a pit (literal or figurative). We, too, need to acknowledge where we are and ask ourselves, do we want to stay stuck or are we ready to move forward? If we are ready to move forward, it’s time to take the next step and return to our Father (or as the Bible calls it—repent).
When the prodigal son came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father” (Luke 15:17-20).
Here’s what I love about this passage. It doesn’t say the prodigal son cleaned himself up before heading home. It doesn’t say he got a bath, put on new clothes, or took time to get his act together. It simply says, “he got up and went to his father.”
I can picture the desperation on the wayward son’s face. With head hung low, he walked towards his father’s estate, covered in filth with tattered and torn clothing. I imagine he rehearsed over and over what he would say to his father.
But then, while he was still some distance away, he looked up to get his bearings, and off in the distance, he saw a man running towards him. It was his father! When they finally reached each other, the father threw his arms around his son and kissed him.
Dear friends, when we truly repent and turn back to God, our heavenly Father welcomes us with open arms. He forgets our past sins, and says, you are my child, and I love you. I’m so glad you have come back home.
The Lord loves us perfectly, unconditionally, and with purest intent. God says, you don’t have to clean yourself up. Come as you are, and I will clothe you with robes of righteousness, purchased and paid for by my One and Only Son—Jesus.
“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” (Luke 15:22-24).
Are you slipping into some bad habits, thoughts, or behaviors, ones you hoped were behind you? Friends, you don’t need to worry about being perfect. Simply come to the Father as you are. Jesus will do the rest.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20).
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