Nothing I Could Do Would Make Him Love Me Less

The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is one of my favorites. A father had two sons. His younger son came to him one day and asked for his inheritance. The father agreed and his younger son left to live life on his own. The younger son wasted everything that was given to him. In order to survive, he took a job feeding pigs on a farm. Desperate from starvation, he came to his senses and decided to return to his father and beg for forgiveness. He rehearsed his plea and was determined to ask his father for a job so that he could return and be forgiven.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to his servants, 'Quick! Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here - given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!'" Luke 15:20-24 (The Message)

This story is the story of how many of us live our lives. We strive to achieve our own dreams and desires. We squander our inheritance and are often left for dead. But the love of Christ is unconditional, never ceasing or diminishing. He never leaves us; we choose to leave Him. We are given freedom in Christ to make decisions, and when they don't work out, He's right there waiting to embrace us and welcome us home. He rejoices when his wandering child returns to Him. Nothing I could ever do would make Him love me less. He desires a relationship with us that is forgiving and full of grace. It's never too late to turn back to the One who gave His life to save us from our own demise!