We read in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV)
God has graciously gifted to us another year we do so with heart full of gratitude to God. Maybe in the hearts of many there is an apprehension as to what this year has in store for us. This is like the mindset of a student before an examination for which he or she is unprepared. On the other hand if they are well prepared they would face the exam courageously. So also, we are not sure what the year ahead hold for us but we can be cautious to be prepared with God’s help and guidance.
Even though Philippians 4:8 begins with the word ‘finally’, I am using this verse at the very beginning of this New Year. The reason for this is that if we follow this word carefully, irrespective of what may come our way, we will have the peace of God in our hearts. We are firstly asked to ponder on things that are true. We live in days where we are constantly bombarded with false information from all quarters and we end up thinking about these things. Nonetheless, the things that mostly occupy our thoughts are those pertaining to our own problems, fears, weaknesses, failures and heart aches. We often assume that we are in no way worthy recipients of God’s mercy, favor and His blessings. This is a lie and the word of God reminds us that we must ponder on those things that are true.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 103:9, “He will not always accuse us of wrong or be angry [with us] forever.” (GW)
The bible describes that our God is loving, kind, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. He also does not accuse us of wrong doing or hold on to His anger forever.
The son who doubted his father’s love
The prodigal son in the parable that Jesus told in Luke 15, took all of his father’s wealth and squandered it in wild living. When he came to the place of emptiness and utter poverty, he had a doubt if his father would be willing to forgive him and take him back. It was a reasonable doubt too for he had spurned his father’s love, and wasted all of his father’s hard earned money. With reluctance, he decided to go back to his father and submit himself to be one of his father’s hired servants, for he realized that he had lost the right to be called his father’s son.
These are the words the son rehearsed before going back to his father as found in Luke 15:19: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” (ESV)
Many have this similar thought in their hearts today. They feel worthless because of all the sins they have committed and believe that God cannot accept them to be His own children. Our circumstances and emotions may keep changing, but the word of God stands firm forever and will always remain true.
Those who receive Him are His children
We read in John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” (ESV)
This verse applies to everyone who is willing to receive the Lord into their lives. The invitation is for all people irrespective of who they are or where they are. All one has to do is to believe that Jesus came down to the earth, died for their sins, was buried, rose again, ascended into heaven and will come again as the King of Kings. When one has this understanding of the Lord Jesus and receives them into their lives, they have the right to become the sons and daughters of the Most High God. If God is our father, when we do wrong and go back to Him we are assured of forgiveness and restoration in our lives. The Lord is able to transform our lives when we go to Him just as we are and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
We read in Galatians 3:26, For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
The return of the reluctant son
The prodigal son now takes a journey back to his father’s house most hesitatingly, not sure if he will be accepted or not.
It is recorded in Luke 15:20, “And he arose and came to his father.” (ESV)
Though the prodigal son had done many wrong things, he now made the right decision to arise and get back to his father.
The compassionate father accepts his wayward son
We read further in Luke 15:20, But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (ESV)
While the son was a long way off, the father recognized him. He did not wait for the son to come all the way, but ran toward his son. In those days, they wore long robes and if one had to run, they had to pick up the robes to expose their legs. It was not a respectful thing in their culture, but the father ran to embrace his son. He was full of love and compassion for his son who came back home. The son must have been in a deplorable condition, but those things were immaterial to his father.
The characteristic of God is evident from this parable. A God of unconditional love and compassion to all those who return back to Him. God looks at us with love and does not consider us based on our sinfulness and unworthiness.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 103:10, He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. (ESV)
This is God’s amazing love, which is true and unchanging. Let us believe and trust in this truth and not let our minds waver because of what we feel, because of circumstances that we find ourselves in or what others around us have to say. The first truth is that God is compassionate and merciful. These characters of God will not change with time, but will stand firm for eternity. It is true that we are sinful by nature and do things that are contrary to God and His word. Nevertheless, every time we return to God, He is ever willing to accept us and does not hold our sins against us. The heart of God is that of a good father, who may discipline his child when he or she does wrong, but when the child cries with remorse the father will hug that child, to comfort and let them know that he loves them.
A sinful woman came looking for forgiveness and acceptance
We read in Luke 7:37-38, And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. (ESV)
This woman who came to Jesus had a reputation of being a sinful woman. She was so well known in that city that the moment she entered the house where Jesus was, that everyone’s attention turned towards her. The woman on the other hand had her eyes for no one, but Jesus. She realized that she had done many wrong things in her life, messed it up, and was now not acceptable to anyone. However, she somehow knew that Jesus would accept her, and could forgive her of her sins. Let us not waste time to come to Jesus, but let us make haste to do so, just like that woman did.
What did Jesus offer the woman?
We read in Luke 7:48, Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." (GNB)
and in Luke 7:50, But Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (GNB)
Though Jesus knew everything about this woman, He extended forgiveness of sins to her most graciously. Jesus did not condemn her, but pronounced healing and forgiveness. Jesus also told her that since she had approached Him with faith, she had also been saved from her sins and could not go forth in peace. That day that woman received mercy, compassion, salvation, the assurance that her sins are forgiven and the peace that she was searching for from Jesus. Jesus transformed the life of that woman in a most miraculous way.
There are those who erroneously believe that they need to set things right in their lives before they come to God. If someone was not well, they would have to go to the doctor with their ailment so that he can treat them. No one will wait to be well, and then visit the doctor, for it would be meaningless. That’s how it is with God, we can come to Him just as we are, and He will transform our lives. He will never cast us aside. All of us need peace, and sadly human beings are trying to find this in various places. There is only one person who can give us this peace, and that is Jesus. The peace that He gives the world can’t give and the world can’t take it away either. We have to come to Him with faith in Jesus and He will accept us and totally transform all of our situations. Jesus alone can bring this change, because He is the only one who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for all mankind and hence He alone has the authority to forgive sins.
The father restored the son back to his position
We read in Luke 15:22-23, “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, (NLT)
The son returned having lost it all, but his father restored him back to his previous position as his son. He put on the finest robe, put a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. That is the astounding love of the father. He also called for the fattened calf to be killed and the feast to be made ready, to celebrate the return of his son. The heart of the father was overflowing with unimaginable joy that his lost son had returned back home.
So also, when we return back to our Father in heaven, he will restore us back to the position of being his children. Let us come to the Lord, and allow Him to work on all those areas that need to be renewed and rebuilt. Just like that father, the heavenly Father rejoices when a sinner returns back to the fold. Though there are millions in this world, the bible reminds us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. God is waiting for everyone to return, and He will give us perfect peace in our lives if we are willing to accept this invitation, and turn to Him. If we do so, no matter what this year holds for us, no one can rob us of the triumph and peace that will be ours. As a child of God we have the certainly of His unfailing and unconditional love for ever.
We read in Psalm 145:14, The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. (ESV)
This is the comfort that is ours, that the Lord upholds us when we fall. He raises us up, and rejoices over us. May we continue to stand firm in the Lord, and meditate on all those things that are true which are based entirely on God’s word. I pray the Lord bless us, our families and lead us every day in this year ahead as we continue to trust Him completely.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
