Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
As Christians, sometimes, we stray from God’s path. It is easy to assume the worst in people and situations, and we quickly lose our faith when times get hard. We stray from Him, squander our lives, and ultimately forget about our Faith and what grounds us as we take on life’s journey.
Because of this, though we too have strayed in our own ways, we are called not only to keep in mind our faith, why we do things, and that everything is for His greater glory, but also that we have a role in calling others to Christ, many books about being a fisher of men for Christians have become popular because it reminds us that our roles as Christians lie not only in ourselves, but also in sharing His Good Will and proclaiming His Gospel to others.
As we journey on with our lives in this fast-paced world with more people leaving the Church, thrown into an environment where materialism and greed flourish, our faith reminds us to stand strong in our beliefs and not to stray from Him.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash
One of Jesus’ most well-known and moving parables, the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32), exemplifies the concepts of repentance, forgiveness, and unconditional love. A young man, the youngest of two sons, requests his father for his portion of the inheritance. Even though the request is painful and somewhat disrespectful, the father gives it to him. After that, the younger son moves away from home and spends his fortune recklessly in a far-off place.
After squandering the money his father gave, a catastrophic famine ravages the region, leaving the son penniless and in desperate need of food. Realizing his situation, he thought that even his father’s servants would have been taken care of, and that he was willing to go back to his father as one of his mere servants.
He chooses to go back home and ask his father for forgiveness, intending to get a job as one of his father’s hired help. However, as the son walks back to his father’s home, his father watches the younger son from a distance, sympathetic. The father’s actions demonstrate his profound love and mercy as he celebrates the return of his lost son by running to him, embracing him, and ordering a feast to be prepared instead of reprimanding him. He says, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”
Jesus uses this narrative to illustrate the infinite forgiveness and grace of God. The father is a metaphor for God, who is always willing to accept repentance regardless of how far they have strayed. In the end, the parable of the prodigal son reminds us that God loves us even if we stray from Him. This narrative highlights the value of repentance, reconciliation, and the happiness that results from forgiveness and repair.
God’s Love Is Everlasting Even If We Stray From Him
Woman Praying With A Bible l Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash
We often think of forgiveness as difficult. When we are hurt by others, it is hard to overcome the sense of betrayal that we feel. This exemplifies how God is different from us and why he is indeed God.
Like in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, our faith tells us that God is forgiving. That repentance for our sins can still lead us to our Salvation. However, if we stray from Him, merely asking for forgiveness is not enough. Righting our wrongs, making up for bad behavior, and acknowledging the feelings of others we’ve hurt play a significant role in asking for God’s forgiveness. Unlike our human definition and capabilities of love, God’s love is boundless.
As Christians, we are reminded that our actions, though done individually, should all act in servitude of God and His Works. Our collective efforts to bring forth his teachings are part of our role as Christians. Our thoughts, words, and deeds should echo God’s love and compassion, spreading his mission to love and serve others. To learn more about what it entails to be a follower of Christ, purchase a copy of Behave as a Church by Dr. Christopher Powers.
2 comments