By Tom Shanklin
"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. 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:" Luke 15:21, 22, KJV
When the prodigal son returned to his father, his best hope was to secure place in the bunkhouse among his father's servants.
"How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" he said. He knew he could not return to his father based on his worthiness or his rights and privileges as a son. He had forfeited these by devouring the family fortune and running from his father. He now came recognizing his own failure and looking for mercy.
But when his father saw his long-lost son returning home, he ran out to meet him, receiving him not as a servant, but as a son. He hugged and kissed him, and gave him the best robe in the house. He gave him a ring for his finger and shoes for his feet. Rather than sending him to the bunkhouse, he brought him into his home, close to himself, and threw a party, killing the fatted calf.
Likewise, when we return to God through Jesus Christ, we can only come, as the old hymn says, "Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me." But when we truly make that decision to come to our Father with empty hands, smelling and dirty from living in the world, confessing our sins, He forgives all and receives us as sons and daughters. He gives us the best of everything and celebrates our return to Him, along with the angels of heaven.
This is the love of God. We come to him as servants, but He receives us as sons. Our Father is looking for children who will live close to him, share in the family business of reaching the world, and take a part in a full inheritance of grace, authority, healing and restoration. As the scripture says, "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7, KJV.
Are you living in the bunkhouse? Or perhaps still in the pigpen of this world? Come home to your Father, receive His love, live close to Him, and enjoy all that he has for you today. Life is good in the Father's house!