What does it mean to be lost? We were all lost at some time. That is why I like Luke 15. This chapter perfectly illustrates God’s love for us through a series of three parables taught by Jesus. This is not even lost in the sense that I have felt for some time. I know I am lost and directionless at the moment, but ultimately I have already been found. I have sought to have Jesus in control in my life, so I can never be truly lost again.
Luke 15 has the parable of the lost coin, the parable of the lost sheep, and the parable of the lost son. In the first two we see how zealously God seeks us when we are lost. Those are items that cannot find their way back on their own. Like God does with us, however, there is rejoicing when those items are found.
7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. – Luke 15:7
When I started this blog I didn’t have delusions that it would change the world. I have long said that my main prayer for this is that just one person reads it and is influenced to give their lives to God. That would give my life purpose if that were to happen. In my personal Bible that verse is underlined simply for its beauty. God certainly has trillions of other things to do in running the universe, yet He cares about each one of us individually to rejoice when we find him.
Ultimately, finding him is the focus of the third parable in this chapter. As humans, we have the choice in whether we will return to the Father or not. In this parable, the actions of the older son represent those who do not see God’s plan. They are the ones that think they deserve something because of their own perceived righteousness. They think others don’t deserve God’s divine mercy. We are worthy though. I cannot stress that enough.
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1 comment:
Travis,
Hey. Reading your post today, I just wanted to give you a piece of encouragement in your purpose for this blog/life.
Colossians 3:23-24 states that "Whatever you do, work heartily,as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
I don't know how to bold things on here, but know that ***you are serving the Lord*** through this. Men may or may not come to Christ through this, I don't know, but God is being glorified and I believe that is our ultimate purpose. "Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory" (Isaiah 43:6-7). I believe your blog/life is a part of this.
Also, I had another thought that I wondered your opinion on. You mentioned that we are deserving of Christ's divine mercy. I think that the beautiful and freeing thing about God's mercy is that we aren't worthy... That it truly is a gift reflecting not how precious we are, but how amazing/gracious God is.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).
What are your thoughts?
Micah
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