Read: Luke 15:11-24
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. (Jer. 33:8)
Sin begins with selfishness and ends with separation. Selfishness fails to honor the will and ignores our creator God. Separation from God isolates us from all help and traps us underneath our ego and desire for self-serving pleasure. Both are simply a rebellion against God. Suffering follows separation from God sooner than we expect.
Our Bible reading today is the parable of the prodigal son, a story Jesus told to illustrate responses to sin. A young man leaves his father and his home to pursue pleasure and his own way. When he loses everything, he realizes how much he has given up, and he returns home. The highlight of the story is not the selfishness, separation, or suffering he experiences, but instead it is the realization and return he pursues. The younger son was willing to repent of his sin and was willing to return, even through his shame. And when he did, he was welcomed with overwhelming love by his father.
How do you respond to your sin and to the sin of others? In the voice of the prophets, in the voice of Jesus our Savior, and in the voice of brothers and sisters today, we are invited to hear the divine voice of restoration and then share it with others. God is waiting to meet every sinner with love. Who in your life needs to hear this good news today?
As you pray, ask God to strengthen you to share the good news of salvation.
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
