ETERNITY

[Ranb2khz]

Returned from Exile

~ God offers grace, not condemnation, to all who acknowledge their mistakes and ask for help.

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Jesus’ resurrection — the heart of the gospel — promises us resurrection as well. When He comes again, we will rise from physical death (1 Thessalonians 4:16). But the Lord promises more, which is described in the story of the Prodigal Son.

After taking his inheritance, the son assumed he could choose the life he wanted. Instead, he wasted everything — which is the definition of prodigal — and ended up with a life more like death. Penniless and alone, he at last “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17) and realized the full life he longed for was waiting back at home.

Great need motivated the young man to return home, but he didn’t assume that a full life would be restored; he hoped only for a servant’s existence. But the father, feeling that the son’s return warranted gracious extravagance, said, “Bring out the best robe ... let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again” (vv. 22-24).

Whenever we have chosen the way of death and find ourselves in a spiritual “far country,” we can remember the prodigal’s story. Like him, we can respond to the Spirit-given change of heart that draws us home. The Father’s extravagant grace awaits all who return.
________________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/returned-from-exile






•