Most of us have read or heard the parable of the prodigal son. You know, the young man goes to his father and asks for his inheritance and he asks for it NOW. He doesn't want to wait till his father picks the time. He wants to drive that '65 356 Carerra now, not tomorrow or the next day. Of course we all know that eventually reality sets in, (as in the inescapable consequences of our actions), he comes to his senses and decides to go home.
In my younger days I used to listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee on the radio. He once said the difference between the son in that pigpen and the pig was that no pig ever said to himself, “I will arise and go to my father.” Only a child of God can do that. We are all children of God. Note I said, ALL.
If you remember, the father did not condemn the son as his older brother did. (No knock against the church intended. Oh what the heck, yes, a knock intended.) In fact, the moment the son came to his senses, the moment he turned, the moment he changed directions his father ran to him, put a family ring on his smelly finger and a coat over his filthy back. I assume he still smelled like a pig because I don't read anywhere where the son stopped to freshen up before coming home.
So let me ask you a question. When did the father forgive the son? Did the father forgive the son when he repented and turned back to the father? If you are a parent you know you always, note I said always, have an attitude of forgiveness for your children, no matter what they are doing. Sure, you may get mad as hell, but are you ever unforgiving when it comes to your kids?
Does this mean we are OK to raise hell, skinny dip in immorality and laugh at God? After all, didn't Jesus say we are supposed to be in a constant attitude of forgiveness? Yes, you and I are supposed to be in a constant attitude of forgiveness, but, and this is a big but, forgiveness is not reconciliation. Is relationship possible without reconciliation? Judas felt terrible for what he did to Christ, but was there reconciliation, was there a restoration of relationship?
Didn't Peter deny Christ three times? Yes, and how many times did the Lord ask Peter if Peter loved him?
Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Reconciliation is not saying, "Oh shucks, I'm sorry." The Bible is an epic story of the Creator of the Universe going to every effort to reconcile its creation and restore its children to an intimate relationship with Creator God. There is far more involved than forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, but then the Lord says, "Come." Doesn't come describe an action? Isn't an action more than lip service?
God waits for us to turn, but the act of turning belongs completely to us.
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