Which other scriptures highlight God's eagerness to forgive and restore? The Father’s Heart in Luke 15:20 “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” • The father is watching, running, embracing, and kissing—four rapid verbs that reveal God’s eager initiative toward the repentant. Old-Testament Portraits of Readiness to Forgive • Exodus 34:6-7—“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion… forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.” • Psalm 103:8-12—He “has not dealt with us according to our sins… as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions.” • Isaiah 55:6-7—“Return to the LORD… for He will freely pardon.” • Micah 7:18-19—God “delights in loving devotion… You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” • Joel 2:12-13—“Return… for He is gracious and compassionate… and He relents from sending disaster.” • Hosea 14:4—“I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” • Jeremiah 3:12—“Return, faithless Israel… for I am gracious… I will not be angry forever.” • Jeremiah 31:20—“My heart yearns for him; I have surely had compassion on him.” Prophetic Promises of Restoration • Ezekiel 36:25-27—God promises to sprinkle clean water, give a new heart, and put His Spirit within His people. • Zechariah 1:3—“Return to Me… and I will return to you.” Gospel Snapshots of Divine Mercy • Luke 19:10—“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • Matthew 9:12-13—Jesus: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice… I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • John 8:10-11—“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” • Luke 7:48-50—To the repentant woman: “Your sins are forgiven… your faith has saved you; go in peace.” The Cross: Supreme Proof of God’s Welcome • Romans 5:8—“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • 2 Corinthians 5:19—“God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them.” • 1 Peter 3:18—“Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Living in Ongoing Assurance • Acts 3:19—“Repent… that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” • Hebrews 4:16—“Approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy.” • 1 John 1:9—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” • Titus 3:4-5—“He saved us… according to His mercy.” Tying It All Together From Genesis to Revelation, God makes the first move toward sinners, invites return, and provides full restoration through His Son. Luke 15:20 is not an isolated moment; it is the heartbeat of Scripture—God eagerly runs to welcome every repentant child home. |
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