By Pastor Josiah Kehinde
“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, 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. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Luke 15:11-32 KJV
Beloved of God, Prove yourself that is what you constantly feel you have to do in today’s world, right? Either on the job, among friends, even at home you are always working to win the approval you need. Working to convince those around you that you deserve the salary, the friendship, and even the love they give you.
The scripture affirmed that, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
Grace, the Unearned and undeserved favour, and acceptance found only in the heart of God Himself.
The story of the prodigal son gives us a better picture of God’s grace in action. Few of us today can really feel the impact of that story like those first Jewish listeners Jesus told it to. You see, by the Jewish standards the prodigal son had committed some of the most despicable acts possible. He had not only taken advantage of his father, and spent his inheritance in riotous living, he had left the nation of Israel, and made covenant with a foreigner, a pig farmer. In their eyes, that boy’s rebellion was so serious his father’s only recourse was to disown him.
Surprisingly, the father welcomed his repentant son home with open arms. He offered him grace, unmerited favour, this was based on the father’s love rather than the son’s performance.
Brethren, anytime you catch yourself struggling to make up to God for something you have done wrong, working to win His approval, let the story of the prodigal son set you free. Let it remind you that, in spite of your sins, your Father has received you with open arms. He has put a robe of righteousness on your back and His signet ring on your hand. He has put the shoes of sonship on your feet.
The question is, Do you feel unworthy of all that? The truth is that You were unworthy of it. Yet God has not based His relationship with you on your worthiness. He has based it on His love and on Jesus’ worthiness. You do not have to struggle to prove yourself to God. As far as the Lord is concerned you are a proven success by His Grace. Shalom.
I pray that the Lord will place His right hand of righteousness upon you and graciously take you to higher ground in Jesus name Amen.
• Pastor Josiah KGS. GPPM
+234-805-551-6088
pastorjosiahkehinde@gmail.com