The Prodigal’s Father

By Adele M. Gill

[Please click on blog title to read full article.]

“Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;         

he was lost and is found.”(From the Prodigal Son scripture)

Luke 15:23-24

While working as a Chaplain, I often encounter people who say they are “beyond God’s reach.” They say they are not worthy of God’s love or help. Sometimes they say that they are “not good enough for God,” because they have done a lot of living”—or have a sinful past and/or present. Some do not go to church. Others are estranged from their loved ones or live with depression or addiction. Some don’t understand that God’s Love is unconditional, and that all their prayers are heard and answered.  Some in need of healing believe they are sick because God caused it, due to their sinful life or past.

In this world that tells us that God is irrelevant, even non-existent, there are a myriad of reasons why people experience feelings of being unworthy of God’s Love. But the truth is, from a biblical perspective, God loves each of us so much that He sent His Only Son to die for our sins, and the sins of the whole world. In our humanness, it’s not always easy to understand, accept and follow God’s ways, or the depth of His love, as they are very different than our worldly ways. But it’s vitally important to try…

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

John 3:16

The Bible passage above about the prodigal son and his father provides a great reminder of God’s unconditional Love for us all. Like the prodigal son in this scripture passage, who squandered his inheritance and was whole-heartedly welcomed back upon his return was celebrated by his father. It reminds us that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s Love. God’s Love is so profound and steadfast, that it is an intrinsic gift of grace even to be born. We are all children of God. That is, everyone–all of humanity. Period.

As I’ve said many times, there is a wide chasm, a gaping discrepancy, between the ways of the world and God’s ways. No matter what this world tells us, it is only by His grace that He brought us into this world, and continually redeems, us for all our sin and failings. The world will tell you that you are ‘not good enough’ or ‘unworthy’ or ‘a failure’ or ‘irredeemable.’ But that could not be further from the truth. Scripture tells a different story; hence, the need for a biblical perspective in the face of all the deception and lies that the world tries to force upon us.

The Bible teachings found in The Word of God tell us that God’s Love transcends any and all sin, discord, failings; our poor choices, etc… They infuse our hearts and minds with a newly found ability to overcome them, and to seek God, come to Him in prayer, ask for forgiveness, and in turn, forgive ourselves and others. We are forgiven as we forgive. Scripture, The Word of God, prepares and enables us to love, try to accept others in a non-critical way, and even experience unexpected gratitude, peace and joy, even in times of adversity. What a blessings!

God’s Love knows no bounds whatsoever, and is infinite and eternal. He created each of us in His image with no mistakes–and for a purpose. Imperfect, unruly, rogue; unbending, selfish, unforgiving– even arrogant at times, due to our free-will. God loves each of us for who we are in His sight, unlike the way we look at ourselves and others. Unlike other people, He always sees our unique potential as lovable human beings, like no other person possibly could. Even when we fall short. He roots us on to live our best life, and is lovingly, deeply saddened when we fall. Yet, God’s Love for us never wanes, as He provides grace, unmerited favor, for all of us. Even when we fail Him and walk away from Him as we so often do, it does not detour Him from loving us. Ever!

Like the prodigal father, God always leaves the door open for our return…and celebrates when we turn to Him, even after we turn or walk away. We are all children of God. Let us pray we can seek him and follow Him, thereby becoming heirs of His kingdom:

 ^“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

Romans 8:16-18

New American Bible (Revised Edition)

____________________________________________

© Copyright 2021   |   Adele M. Gill

~ About the Author ~

Adele M. Gill is a certified Chaplain, and a graduate of the St. James College Seminary. She is a recipient of the 2021 Firebird Book Award for her new life-changing self-help book, ‘How to Go from Broken to Blest.’ This AWARD WINNING BOOK will lift up anyone who is weary, struggling, and in need of hope. https://amzn.to/2ZWsiCb