What Goes Down To Misery Should Come Up For His Forgiveness
A very powerful story is found in Luke 15 that deals with a father and his prodigal son. It has so much help for our lives if we will apply it. Even if we only have a small time of wastefulness in our lives, we should continually find our way back to the Father’s arms.
Luke 15:11-32(KJV) 11And he
said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me
the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and
took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with
riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that
land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and
he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the
swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of
my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy
hired servants.
20And 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.
21And 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.
22But 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:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us
eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh
to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things
meant.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath
killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father
out, and entreated him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years
do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet
thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy
living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I
have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy
brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Downward, downward here we go!
Considered only himself – vs. 12
Cared for no one but himself – vs. 13
Cast aside family ties – vs. 13
Chased a carnal lifestyle - 13
Consumed the helpful part of his life - 14
Created problems that were to be faced in due time - 14
Cheapened his life from the emptiness created - 15
Many settle into a holding pattern in life. They know something is wrong, but their stubbornness or unwillingness to acknowledge wrongful actions prevent them from realizing where they are.
Discernment, discernment, what do we know?
Conscious of his dire situation - 17
Crippled by his poor judgment - 17
Contemplation of turning towards home - 17
Concrete action was needed to return to his proper place - 18
Condemned by his poor judgment and sinful life - 18
Contrite spirit had brought understanding of his real need (he needed to be with the father and he needed and wanted forgiveness) – 19
At this point, there was a…
Commence the first step of the journey is the start of the path to forgiveness – 20
Compassion of the father was waiting where the son had left it – 20
Confession is needed to clear the air – 21
Often in life it is more for the wrongful party than the wronged party.
Comfort from the father touches a chord – 22-24
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 041110pm