Even though we are a new creation, delivered from Satan’s power, we can live according to old habit patterns; dominated by the evil one. This is not necessarily outright rebellion, but rather, a failure to explore the potential that dwells within every true believer.
The prodigal father’s response to his son’s reappearance was not the way many parents might have responded. Some would have disowned their son for squandering the family inheritance. Others might have made him pay back every dollar he wasted. Still others might have threatened to shoot him if he dare put one foot on their property.
Many parents wonder what they should do when their wandering children return to them for help. They should do what this man did: Look with great anticipation for their children’s return. This father looked to the horizon everyday expecting his son to come home. Then when he saw him afar off, he ran to him and surrounded his son with compassion and love. That is what will win your children. Stand on the Word of God, expecting their return, and continuing in the fullness of God’s love — no matter what they have done.
The moment we move toward living in the full potential of our inheritance, God will reach out to lift us into His best. God is always expectant. This prodigal father continued to lavish things on his son as we find in Luke 15:22-24.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
Notice the father did not pay any attention to the son’s carefully rehearsed speech of unworthiness. He did not even allow him to finish what he was saying. The father called to his servants to bring three things to the son. Each has significance in what God has done for us.
The best robe was worn by the father himself. The father took his own robe and put it on his son. Isaiah 61:10 refers to this robe saying: “…He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
God’s own robe of righteousness has been placed on us. What a joy! We are welcome in the very throne room of God. We belong there! The God of grace is our loving Father Who has lifted us out of guilt into freedom.
Jesus identified with our sin through the cross so we could identify with His righteousness by faith in His redemption. Now we are clothed with His righteousness. We have been elevated into companionship with God the Father. Second Corinthians 5:21 says,
“For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (Brackets by author.)
We are the righteousness of God. We are free to enter the presence of God without the sense of guilt, inferiority, or condemnation. According to Ephesians 1:6, we are accepted in the Beloved. He will never reject us. There is nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us! Rest in His love!
