Magnificent Grace

MAGNIFICENT GRACE

Luke 15:20

“So he got up and went to his father [the boy who squandered away his inheritance in Restored by Grace devotional series]. But 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.”

Ten year old Jeremy took off down the street on his bike looking for his fourteen year old brother Michael. Soon, blaring music lured Jeremy straight to Michael’s friend’s house. Jeremy wandered through an open front door.

The smell of weed wafted to Jeremy’s nose. He saw Michael throwing darts, drinking from a bottle of beer. When Michael saw his little brother, he put the beer down on the floor. Michal said, “Just one hour, and we’ll go home.”

Just then, the police stormed inside the house. “Everyone stay put!” The officer ordered the teen aged crowd. At the police station, Michael and Jeremy were questioned, “Where are your parents?”

The boys waited on straight baked chairs. “What do you think mom and dad will do?” Jeremy wondered aloud.

“I don’t know, but I am in hot water!” Michael admitted.

That’s exactly what the boy who frittered away his inheritance thought, too. Would the guys lose family rights, like being disowned by the parents because of their dreadful sins? Fortunately, Luke 15 11-24 shows us exactly what happens when God’s kids mess up—then return home to confess sin. It doesn’t matter how far we wandered away, or for how long, believers in Christ are guaranteed restoration into God’s family. Grace greets wayward Christians with forgiveness and compassion.

Why? a believer might inquire. For sure, no person can earn grace. Forgiveness and restoration comes from believers’ relationship with Jesus. Grace never comes from performance, good deeds, or even the right words of apology. What’s important is our position in, relationship to, and belief in Christ. When the Father sees that we belong to His Son, He forgives us every sin we confess.

What’s even more awesome is that we’re forgiven even before we return to God! That’s magnificent grace. Magnificent grace is a reason to celebrate. Our Father is waiting to welcome His kids home.

Take Home Nugget

“Michael! Jeremy!” two parents called out. “We were young once,” their dad said, his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “What do you have to say for yourselves?”

Michael began, “It’s my fault, Dad. Jeremy had nothing to do with this.”

Their mom hugged Jeremy. “You’re alright, that’s what matters. “Boys, I have some chores for you to do that will pay for this foolishness!”

Grace is so magnificent that nothing humans do can will disown those who’re united with Christ.

J.D. Griffith

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