Wednesday, November 21, 2012 -- Gracious Living (2)

Jesus countered the ways of this world with the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven and gave us principles on how to live graciously. He told the story of a son who squandered his inheritance and was destitute when he decided to go home to his Father, whom he knew was kind, and ask if he would hire him as a servant.  Upon arrival his Father lovingly welcomed him back, not as a hired servant, but as a son of the household.

 “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.  (Luke 15:11-14, 20-24 NLT)

Taking the son back would have been kind but then extravagant grace was poured out on him by His Father, a robe was draped around his shoulders, sandals were put on his feet, a ring was put on his finger, and the fatted calf was killed for a feast to celebrate his return.  The son was restored by the Father’s unconditional love to his former position within the household.

The Father represents our Heavenly Father and his unconditional love and extravagant grace poured out on each of us.  What difference has this unconditional love of God made in my life?  How has my behaviour towards others changed because of my receiving God’s unconditional love?