There is a moment when we realize the damage we are doing to our own lives and decide to come home to our Father’s house. It is human nature to wonder how we will be received. Jesus settled that question in the story He told of the prodigal son. “When he 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 ‘ ” (Luke 15:17-19). The wayward son made the decision to return to his father. He had his speech ready and was willing to face the retribution for the wrong choices he had made and headed for home. He “came to his senses.”
He didn’t receive the reception he expected though. “So he got up and went to his father. “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. 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’ ” (Luke 15:20-23).
That is the picture of grace. We expect a lecture and we receive grace. We are waiting for payback and instead, we receive unconditional love. The father never even allowed the son to finish his prepared speech. He interrupted him with a gift of reconciliation.
That story is repeated time and again today. In his book, Jesus+Nothing=Everything, Tullian Tchividjian tells of Rod Rosenbladt who told him of an incident that happened to him when he was 16 years old. He wrecked his car while driving drunk. The first thing his father asked him was “Are you all right?” Later, in his father’s study, he was weeping over his failure. His father said to him, “How about tomorrow we go get you a new car?”
He says that looking back, he realizes that at that moment he became a Christian. It was then that he understood grace. He also says that every time he tells that story some people get mad. To that, he says, “Do you think I didn’t know what I had done? But my father spoke words of grace when I deserved his wrath.” That’s what God has done for us.
We may think that coming to God means we will face retribution. Instead, we receive His grace, love, and compassion. Instead of paying us back for our rebellion He throws a party and celebrates our return. Instead of being punished for our mistakes, we find Him ready to forgive us. Instead of making us feel guilty for what we have done, we find that the price for our sins has already been paid by Jesus’ death on the Cross. God says, virtually, “The past is over. Let’s begin a new life without condemnation or guilt. Let’s have a party because you are home.“
That is how grace works—a new life living with the unconditional love of a God who simply wants our trust and fellowship. We’re back in His family, which is what He wanted for us in the first place.
Wally | GG Team
