Forgiveness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Have you ever done something terrible and thought you’d really messed up this time? Maybe it was in a relationship or maybe against a family member. Maybe something secret. Maybe you sinned against God! The Bible says we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23). I want someone to be encouraged today by this.

Jesus told a story about a son who did something selfish and terrible against his father. In Luke 15: 11-32, we read the story of the Prodigal Son. He took his father’s inheritance early, squandered it all on sinful living and ended up in a desperate place, a pig pen! He realized the error of his ways and decided to go back home. “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.” (Luke 15:20). Can you visualize this?

The song, “When God Ran!” By Phillips, Craig and Dean, says in the chorus: “He ran to me, He took me in his arms, held my head to His chest, said, “My son’s come home again.” Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes. With forgiveness in his voice He said, “Son, do you know I still love you.” I want you to “picture” this scene. Here is this son, who had left his father, lived in sin and was coming back home, walking down the road to his father’s house. This is what the father did: He was so glad to see his son again that he ran to him, hugged him with his son’s head on his chest. He was joyful to have his son back again. He then put his finger under the son’s chin, lifted his face to look into Dad’s eyes and wiped away his tears. In his forgiving voice, he said, “Son, no matter what you’ve done, I still love you. Welcome home!” “My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours” (Luke 15:31). If you identify with this, come to the Father today and He will run to you with open arms and forgiveness.