Falling back into grace takes not only courage but also humility and repentance to come to the Lord’s throne of mercy. For He is merciful and loving.
Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Come as you are
Nobody is really too sinful for God not to forgive him. However, do you repent just for the sake of doing so, or is it truly from your heart?
This is what makes the difference. For what does He say in Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Only those who truly want to change and repent shall find Him. For He longs for you to come back to Him more than anything.
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Jesus has always been waiting for you to turn away from your secret sin and follow Him—this time in pure truth, without double-sided intentions or a divided heart. With a pure heart, His glory will be made manifest in your life. He rejoices more over one sinner who repents and returns to Him.
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
So come to the throne of mercy with boldness, with a contrite and repentant heart. He will receive you with wide-open arms.
Do not fear what people will think. Do not worry about what they might say behind your back or how shameful it might seem.
That’s the devil making noise in your ears because he is afraid he will lose you. It’s not about them—it’s about you getting right with the Father. Don’t be dismayed or scared; just go back to doing His will. You may feel like a fool at first, but you are actually making the best (though uncomfortable) decision of your life.
The conviction has been lingering in your heart, and you feel it. Your conscience testifies against you too. So why hesitate?
Parable of the Lost Son
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “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.14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’20 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.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. 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.’ So they began to celebrate.
I say to you, sister (or brother): The doors are wide open, waiting for you. All you have to do is reconsider the truth and, with humility, walk back into your Father’s house. He is merciful, forgiving, loving, and kind.
And your life will flourish again, like a tree replanted beside flowing waters. For this time, you will no longer be distracted.
You will have learned your lesson and will even do greater works, than before.
