GOD’S LOVE

Luke 15:19-20 (NLT) – 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

The parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-24 is one that describes the depth of God’s love towards us. Maybe you feel unloved, heartbroken, disappointed, abused, GOD LOVES YOU and nothing can change that.

The younger (prodigal) son had become distant and estranged from his father, but later realized that he had sinned, got convicted and returned to his father. On his return, he felt he was no longer worthy of his father’s love and asked to become a servant and not a son.

The story of this young man is one we all can relate with. For some, our relationship with God may have become distant, or perhaps we don’t even have a relationship with Him. For others we engage in habits, lifestyles that do not glorify God. For some, we really want to come back to Jesus but we allow guilt, shame, people to stop us. We think that the Father would want nothing to do with us.

Friends, the truth is Jesus can’t wait to embrace you again regardless of how filthy you think your sin is. I believe the prodigal son must have stank having dwelt among pigs, but the father seeing his returning son, ran to him and kissed him. The Lord is ready to forgive us irrespective of how “dirty” or “destructive” our sins are – Isaiah 1:18-20. God has never for once stopped loving us.

Please say this prayer today; “Jesus, I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness and mercy. I believe you died for my sins and was raised from the dead. Lord, I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are my LORD. Amen.”

If you said this prayer, you just made your ways right with God and set your life on a new course filled with God’s overwhelming, excess love. Please find a bible believing church around you and start fellowshipping with them to grow your newfound love and relationship with the Father.

Here’s the best part, the prodigal son was ready to become one of his father’s servants, but the father’s love restored his son’s identity Luke 15:22-24. Restoration is a byproduct of God’s compassion. From the parable, we see conviction first from the son met with compassion from his father and ultimately followed by restoration, conversion and celebration.

1. The prodigal son had the finest robe worn on him – means his Royalty (or Identity) was restored (1Peter 2:9-10)
2. He had a ring put on his finger – means his Authority was restored (Ephesians 2:6, Revelation 5:10)
3. He had a pair of sandals worn on his feet – means his Territory was restored (Joshua 1:3)
4. He had a fattened calf killed for his return – means his repentance was an occasion of rejoicing (Luke 15:7)

Saints, we are not servants but sons, daughters of our Father, who created us to rule and reign here on earth. We must not live like slaves. However, when we sin or live in sin, we become slaves to sin and satan, Romans 6:15-18. Sin rescinds our royalty, authority, and territory in Christ. Let us therefore, live righteously before the Father. Psalm 11:7 (NKJV) – the Lord loves righteousness.

Finally, let’s show love to those who like the prodigal son, have returned to Christ. Let’s not be like the older brother (Luke 15:25-31), though he was with the father, did not possess the heart of the father. Instead of his heart filled with joy and love for the return of his younger brother, he had resentment and judgement against his lost brother.

Please show love always, the world needs it. Above all, receive God’s love. It is REAL, IT HEALS AND IT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL.