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. (Luke 15:20)
There are countless, eternal benefits to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Indeed “every spiritual blessing” is mine in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) One of the blessings that I have grown to appreciate over the years is the blessing of a “happy return.” That is, after I have gone astray, wandering into all kinds of distractions and indulgences and feasting on worldly slop, I then come to my senses and long to return to God. The Gospel gives me the great assurance that I can get up quickly and return happily to my heavenly Father. I don’t even need to grovel or slink back under cover of night. No, I may…rather I must… approach Him with confidence for the grace and mercy that I need. (Heb. 4:16)
This is not our experience in most areas of life. When we fail miserably at work or at home, we may never even be allowed to return. And if we are allowed, we are typically placed on some kind of probation and only hesitantly (even begrudgingly) returned to our position. But Christ’s work on the Cross for us is so complete, we no longer have any wrath to fear (Rom. 5:9-11) God has poured out all His righteous anger at Calvary and Christ has drunk every last drop of it for us. (John 18:11; Jer. 25:15) This means that God has only love and goodwill for those who have trusted in Christ, that He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28) and that even our trials and sufferings are evidence of His sanctifying love. (Rom. 5:1-5)
The story of the Prodigal Son is a stunning tale of God’s love for sinners. Read it again (Luke 15) and consider that after all the younger son had done to rebel and scorn His father (even preferring the company of swine), yet, when He finally comes to His senses and returns, He is not met with a cold and distant, wounded and embittered, angry and resentful father. His father is not waiting with arms crossed and fingers wagging. No! His father runs to Him while He is still far off, barely out of the pen and the Father is there embracing and kissing his son and rejoicing at his return. There is no probation, only celebration!
God responds this way to every sinner who truly repents and returns to Him, no matter how far or how often they have strayed. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1) Christ’s work on the cross is so great; it is sufficient to cover every last sin with grace to spare. (Heb. 7:27) This has been a continual source of joy and relief to me especially when I find myself wandering in a faithless stupor or feel my affections for Christ diminishing. Praise God, at every moment I may return quickly and happily to my Savior. I do not need to atone for my sins or shrink back in fear waiting for the hammer to fall. At these tender moments, I preach to myself:
Arise, my soul, arise, shake off your guilty fears.
The bleedy sacrifice on my behalf appears.
Before the throne, my surety stands.
My name is written on His hands.
(Charles Wesley)
So, this is a message to all my brothers and sisters out there who have been wandering for some time. You’ve been finding excuse after excuse to stay away from church. You haven’t opened a bible or prayed a fervent prayer in ages; you’ve avoided Christian fellowship and you’re just plain stuck in your Christian walk…or maybe you’ve regressed horribly, filled with doubts, fear and guilt, perhaps even living a double life. Satan would have you believe that God will reject you. “It’s too risky to come clean and return. It’s too scary,” he will say. He would appeal to your pride and what remains of your soiled reputation as further reasons to hide. But pay him no heed. Look rather to Your Savior. He will not meet you half-way…No, the moment you lift your head out of the filth and mire of this world you will see Him with outstretched arms ready to receive you once again!