The Forgiving Father

Scripture: “...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

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells a story about a loving, forgiving father who is an image of our Heavenly Father. God sees us when we stray away from Him. He even knows our greatest failures, yet He loves us and waits for us to come home to Him.

The Father is More Fair than We Think

Both sons in the story believed a lie about their father. The younger son believed the father was holding him back and keeping him from a fun and exciting life. (Luke 15:12-13). Do you reject God because you think you’ll have to give up fun?

The older son believed his father was a judge. (Luke 15:29) He thought he had to earn his father’s love and was unable to enjoy the love he already had. Are you working hard to be good enough for God to love you?

The Father is Full of Compassion (Psalm 145:8)

Jesus describes the compassion and love the father has for his son in Luke 15:20. He didn’t wait for his son with a judgmental glare or refuse to receive his son because he made mistakes. The son offered to return as a lowly servant but the father did not allow it. “He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:22-24) He restored his son completely and celebrated his return. Nothing the son did was too big for the father to forgive.

This is what God does for you when you sin or stray away. God waits for you to come home and forgives you completely. Do we deserve this? No. He forgives us because of His love and compassion. Nothing is too big for God to forgive. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

The Father Desires a Relationship

When the prodigal son returns home, the loving father goes out to meet him and says: “This son of mine... is found!" (Luke 15:24). Do you ever forget that you are God’s child? Do you try to earn God’s love but end up feeling like a failure? “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!...” (1 John 3:1) God loves you already and wants to be your Father. 

Why Should We Forgive Others?

Scripture: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Luke 7:41-42 (NLT)

Once Jesus shared a meal with a very judgmental person. He used this story to show that a person who understands their debt and receives forgiveness will have great love for the one who forgives. Being judgmental and unforgiving shows that you have little regard for God’s forgiveness.

Do to Others as You Would Have Them Do to You (Luke 6:31)

Jesus tells a story about a man who loaned money to two people and then cancels both debts. (Luke 7:41-42) One person owed more money than the other, so Jesus asked “Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answers, “the one who had the bigger debt forgiven,” and Jesus agrees (Luke 7:43).

Jesus said, “a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47). That shouldn’t sound like you or me. We should think of ourselves as the first person in the story rather than the second. Our debt is sin instead of money. God is perfect, holy and righteous. Any sin against Him deserves punishment, but He canceled our debt. When it’s time to forgive others, remember the huge debt of sin God canceled for you and forgive.

We All Need Forgiveness

Many people don’t think they need forgiveness. They might think, “My sins are small compared to THAT person. I’ve never committed murder or adultery.” But God has a higher standard. Jesus tells us that even being angry with another makes us guilty of murder, and looking lustfully at someone is equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 5:28).

This shows we all need forgiveness. The Bible goes on to say, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23). And, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Forgive Others Because Christ Forgave You (Ephesians 4:32)

Jesus died on the cross and forgave us from a debt we could not repay. Are you grateful for His sacrifice? I know I am. When others hurt you and sin, remember that you and I have hurt a perfect God. Instead of God being angry with us, He forgave us. We should treat others the exact same way.

When we forgive others, it is a small picture of God’s forgiveness. We can even make it an opportunity to share the gospel by saying: “Because God has forgiven my sins through Jesus Christ, I am able to forgive you.

Why Do Wicked People Prosper?

Scripture: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but those whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on this law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

The Bible says people who delight in God’s law prosper. So, why does our experience not always match this picture? Its all about perspective. When you look too closely at a painting it can become a confusing mixture of colors that make no sense. In the same way, taking one verse out of context of the whole message of God’s Word can cloud our understanding. So lets take a step back and get a better perspective.

Avoid Eternal Destruction

Even the Psalmist struggled to understand why wicked people prospered: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked….. until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (Psalm 73:1-3; 17) The prosperity of the wicked person will not last. Throughout scripture God warns that disobedience to His commands (sin) results in death, destruction and judgement. “…sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:15b.

Live Your Life By Streams of Water

The one who chooses Jesus will live his life near streams of water. “Whoever believes in me (Jesus), as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this Jesus meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in were later to receive.” (John 7:38-39).

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-18 speaks of sinking our roots in God’s love, which is found in Christ Jesus. Then, being strengthened with power through His Spirit which results in being “filled with all the fullness of God.” Meditate on Ephesians 1:1-14 and realize you have all of the resources and blessings of God in Jesus Christ.

Prospering and Bearing Fruit

How do we prosper as Christians? When we bear good fruit, we prosper. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self control.” Wow, now that sounds like a blessed life! Directly seeking happiness and prosperity through material possessions is the surest way to miss out on all God has for you. Jesus said, "one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Like the tree in Psalm 1,you will flourish and bring blessings to those around you when you stay connected to Jesus.