“. . .But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

Luke 15:20b

It seeks. . .it saves. . .it sanitizes (sanctifies). . .and it celebrates.

God’s Grace.

Has there ever been a more beautiful description of Grace-in-Action than the one contained in today’s “Manna”? Even now, tears likely fill our eyes and gratitude fills our heart as we think of this “Father Who sees us afar off. . .is moved with compassion to run to us, instead of waiting on us to draw near and give an accounting of our wretched waywardness. . .embraces us with a Holy Hug. . .and kisses us with a Holy Kiss.” Glory!!

Try to picture this scene, Pilgrim, in your mind’s movie-house:

Your younger son, the “apple of your eye,” has been watching too many videos and reading too many travel magazines of “the far country.” The colorful sights and sounds of that place have captivated his attention and are far more attractive than being “down on the farm”. . . driving a team of mules in the hot sun. . .his feet burning through his shoes from the baked dirt clods beneath his feet. . .as sweat rolls down into his eyes.

One day he comes into your study and you can tell by his demeanor something’s up:

“Dad, I think it’s time to give me my portion of the inheritance. I know you’re not required to do so until after your death. But, Dad, I’m all grown up now—and I need to experience life a little. All my friends have gone off to ‘the far country’ and they’ve written me letters telling me how wonderful it is. Besides, you’ve got plenty of servants and my older brother to take care of things around here. So, I’m asking you to give me my portion so I can be on my way.”

“. . .And they began to be merry.”

Luke 15:24c

Joy in the Holy Ghost begins at Redemption and should be a part of our daily lives.

“And they began to be merry.”

Six small words. But, what great implications they have in the Pilgrimage of Faith.

How difficult do you think it was for the prodigal son to engage in this merriment after his return home? Try putting yourself in his place and allow your spiritual speculation to engage for a few minutes:

You’ve played the fool. The young, defiant, discourteous, rebellious fool. You demanded your portion of the inheritance (v.12), even though the father by law didn’t have to give it until after his death.

But, in love he gave it.

And, with tearful eyes he watched you head off to “a far country” (v.13) with a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face and a spring in your step. But, not even the tears streaming down his face deterred you from your “appointment with destiny.”

Such is always the case when hearts are set on sinning.

But, soon things began to fall apart (vv.13-14). The once-bulging wallet was empty and there were no more hearty pats on the back or singing of “For he’s a jolly-good fellow.”

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe and put it on him. And, put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet—and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it. And, let us eat and be merry—for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

Luke 15:21-24

The road Home may be long and wearisome, but the Reception that awaits us defies description and is beyond our wildest dreams (I Cor. 2:9).

Who is this “prodigal son”. . .so defiant, discourteous and demanding of the father. . .who “gathers all together, journeys into a far country and there wastes his substance with riotous living” (vv.11-13)?

We know, don’t we?

Yes, it’s every one of us. By nature we’re stupid, straying sheep, so prone to wander as the old Gospel song says “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”

And, those “roving eyes and dancing feet” always lead us into “a far country”. . .where we can live it up and cry “Belly up to the bar, boys—the drinks are on me!” Wine, women and song.

But then the money’s gone (v.14a). And, so are the “friends.”

And, just as quickly “there arises a mighty famine in the land” (v.14b). It’s the ‘ole “Morton’s Salt Syndrome” (i.e., “When it rains, it pours”). One setback after another. Heartache and headache.

“For Godly sorrow works repentance. . .”

II Corinthians 7:10a

It is both a decisive act and a lifelong process.

Repentance.

Taken from the Greek word “metanoia,” this word basically means “an about-face, a reversal in direction, a u-turn, etc.” Another way to look at it is “a turning from and a turning to.” Thus, we’d do well to spend much time meditating upon the reasons for and results of true repentance lest we confuse “fleshly remorse” with “Godly sorrow that produces repentance.”

What is this “Godly sorrow”?

The Apostle Paul shed more light on this in Rom. 2:4 where he asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering—not knowing that the goodness (Grk. ‘chrestotes’—‘usefulness, moral excellence in character or demeanor, gentleness, kindness, graciousness, etc.’) of God leads you to repentance?” Simply put, it’s the Heavenly Father’s Character and Conduct—i.e., Who He is and what He has done for us.

Thus, realizing how loving the Lord is to us. . .and how our sinning grieves His Holy Heart. . . should produce in us a deep conviction of sin that results in a turning from it. We must forever remember: Confession is not repentance; it is an acknowledging of our sinfulness or an “agreeing with God,” but it is still not a “turning away from sin.”

True repentance is a “coming to ourselves” (Lk. 15:17a) even as the prodigal son did that day in the pigsty and realizing how far we are from the Father/Home. And, then it is “arising and going to the Father in brokenhearted, penitent confession that seeks reconciliation and restoration” (Lk. 15:17b-24).

“. . .no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.”

John 14:6d

The invitation is unconditional, but the entrance is conditional.

His words in today’s Manna were pretty audacious to say the least, even by the standards of His day. In fact, they were downright offensive both then and now; yet, such is always the way when we’re confronted with the two-edged Sword of Truth (Heb. 4:12).

Assuredly, down through the centuries there have been others who’ve said “I’ve found it” or “We’ve got the corner market on God. Come over to our side and live in the truth; don’t settle for some counterfeit substitute from those who don’t know what they’re talking about.”

And, the beat goes on and on and on.

It seems that another religion, sect, cult, ideology, etc., is born every day. Everyone’s an expert. And, everyone’s found “The Answer.”

“Jesus said unto him ‘. . .I Am The Life’. . .”
John 14:6c

No wonder Paul said, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a); he knew the difference between Life and death.

How do you know if something’s alive?

“Well, you just know,” someone replies. “It’s just obvious. It’s breathing. It’s got a heartbeat—unless, of course, it’s a plant or a tree or something like that. And, even then you can tell if it’s alive because it’s healthy, got a good color, not wilting or drooping, etc. You can just tell when something’s alive by looking at it.”

Is that so?

Maybe in the biological, physical world. But, what about in the spiritual realm?

That’s not so easy, is it?

No, not at all—for many a person who darkens the door of a church building is a walking dead man, woman, boy or girl (Eph. 2:1-3). . .filled with “dead men’s bones” (Mt. 23:27). Outwardly, they are beautiful. Physically fit. Healthy. Well-to-do. Every hair in place.

But, inwardly, they are dead. Spiritually dead. Eternally dead. Living in emptiness and despair. No purpose. No passion. Just existing. And, dreading the “inevitable.”