Reflections

²⁰“So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  ²¹“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’   ²²“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;  ²³and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24

How do we see the lost?  Do we judge them and write them off as being evil and wicked?  Do we pass judgment and condemn them?  God does not.  God patiently waits for the lost to come home.  As we see in the story of the prodigal son, even though the son had left his father and spent all of his inheritance, the son returned home to find a father who had been longing to see his return.

God is the same way.  He is constantly looking for His creation to turn from their sin and turn to Him.  He is not yet ready to pass judgment and takes no delight in seeing anyone perish.  When a soul does come home to Him even the angels rejoice.

As Christians we must have the heart and compassion for the lost.  We should not judge the lost or count them out.  We should let them know that there is a loving heavenly Father waiting for them to come home.  Like the story of the prodigal son, God is willing to run out to where they are and welcome them home.  Remember we were once lost in our sin but God saved us and welcomed us home.  So let us beckon others to repent and return home.  Oh how God loves us so.