MERCY FOR THE REPENTANT SINNER

EVERY WORD OF GOD FOR DAILY LIVING
BY: PASTOR PAUL RIKA, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF HOLINESS REVIVAL MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE

DATE: THURSDAY, APRIL 8TH 2021

TEXT: LUKE 15:11-32
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 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.
13 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.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 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!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 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.
21 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.
22 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:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 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.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 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:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 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.

KEY VERSE: Luke 15:24
For this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found. And they began to merry.

In our reading text, the parable of the prodigal son was given by Jesus to illustrate the following:
• The magnetic pull the world has on the believers.
• The miserable life of a backslider.
• The great mercies that God has for sinners.
• The great joy in God's kingdom over a restored soul.     
• The critical attitude of some people over a restored soul.
• The right attitude to display when a soul is restored.

The prodigal son is an example of a believer in Christ's Kingdom who has yielded to the temptation of the devil, the enticement of sin, and the desires of the flesh. The observable traits in such believers include self-will, selfishness, sensuality, spiritual destitution, self-abasement and spiritual starvation.

The following steps are essential for restoration to salvation and joy of the Lord: Realization of the backslidden state, resolution to make way right with God, repentance from sin, and a conscious return to the father in reconciliation. God will joyfully receive you.

The elder son did not see the return of his younger brother as the father saw it. Instead of being joyful, he was rather critical, bitter and angry. The father had to entreat him and give him the correct understanding he should have towards the return of his younger brother.

We observe the following in the elder brother:
(i) Inquiry: He made inquiry.
(ii) Ingratitude: He was ungrateful at the return of his brother.
(iii) Injustice: He accused his father of injustice
(iv) Insensitivity: He was insensitive to spiritual things.
(v) Ignorance: He was ignorant of the riches he had.
(vi) Instruction: The father instructed him on the right thing to do.
(vii) Identification: He was to identify with the father in his joy.

Let us avoid the carnal attitude of the elder brother and put on the heart and compassion of God our Father towards restored souls.

Thought for the Day:  Do I have the attitude of the elder or younger brother?

Song for the Day: Mercy Oh Lord (2x), Father show me Your mercy

Bible reading for the day: Ruth 1-4; Luke 11:29-54