Andy Elmes: Breakfast of Champions

Good morning, Champion.

The grace of the Father qualifies the undeserving

Luke 15:21–24 (NIV)
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.

Here we see the powerful moment of reunion between the child who went astray and the father who had eagerly awaited his return.

This was a parable (story) that Jesus used to reveal to the pharisee the true heart of His Father towards those who had gone astray or lost their way. On the son's return, instead of walking back into extreme discipline, judgement and deserved punishment which when you read what he had done was a valid entitlement, we see him walk back into the welcoming arms of a father whose heart was set on restoration and reinstatement.

Notice the son is not deceived or deluded concerning what he deserves. He flat out says, “I am not worthy, I deserve nothing, not even what was mine through birth”. Now notice the father's response: he totally ignores his son! Why? He knew the needed work had been done in the life of his son and that the son's humble return confirmed the reality of this. Instead he turns to his servant and orders that his son be re-clothed with a robe (righteousness), a ring (authority), and sandals (evidence he was a son not a slave, like he had set his heart to be).

Think about it: the son deserved nothing, all he had done had disqualified him of any right or inheritance. Yet the father showered him in grace (undeserved, unmerited, unearned favour), and grace was what had restored the boy's life and given dignity back to the one who was not worthy.

This is our common story – we all like sheep had gone astray yet, like this returning son, when we approached God the Father, desperate for help, we also did not receive what we deserved – that’s mercy – but rather what we never dreamed possible – grace. Remember, Champion – you being established and repositioned as a righteous heir and son or daughter is all about His grace and mercy, not your ability. Make sure you love Him for that.

Enjoy His grace again today, because by it we all stand!

Andy

Posted via email from Impossible is Nothing