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A Proven Success
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And
the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy 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....for this my son...was lost,
and is found.
– Luke 15:21-22, 24
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Prove yourself. In today's
world, that's what you constantly feel you have to do, right? On the
job, among friends, even at home you're always working to win the
approval you need. Working to convince those around you that you deserve
the salary, the friendship and even the love they give you.
Is there any escape?
You
better believe there is! It's called grace. Unearned and undeserved
favor and acceptance. And there's only one place you can find it—in the
heart of God Himself.
There's no better picture of God's grace in
action than in the story of the prodigal son. Few of us today can really
feel the impact of that story like those first Jewish listeners Jesus
told it to. You see, by their standards the prodigal son had committed
some of the most despicable acts possible. He'd not only taken advantage
of his father and spent his inheritance in riotous living, he'd left
the nation of Israel and made covenant with a foreigner—a pig farmer!
That was as low as you could get.
In their eyes, that boy's rebellion was so serious his father's only recourse was to disown him.
But
that's not what this father did! He welcomed his repentant son home
with open arms. He offered him grace—unmerited favor—that was based on
the father's love rather than the son's performance.
Next time you
catch yourself struggling to make up to God for something you've done
wrong, working to win His approval, let the story of the prodigal son
set you free. Let it remind you that, in spite of your sins, your Father
has received you with open arms. He's put a robe of righteousness on
your back and His signet ring on your hand. He's put the shoes of
sonship on your feet!
Do you feel unworthy of all that? Sure you do. You were
unworthy of it. But God hasn't based His relationship with you on your
worthiness. He's based it on His love and on Jesus' worthiness. You
don't have to struggle to prove yourself to Him. As far as He's
concerned, you're a proven success.
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Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
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© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.
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