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How to Return to the Lord |
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Meditate on these portions of God's Word.Old Testament View: Ezekiel and returning to the Lord
Ezekiel 18:26-28 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.
1. What is the condition of a "righteous man" who has turned away from God?
2. What happens when a sinner turns from his or her sin and does what is right?
New Testament View: The prodigal son returns to his father
Luke 15:17-18 When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."
Luke 15: 24 "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.
1. Who was primarily responsible for the son returning to the father?
2. What did the son say to the father?
3. How did the father respond to the son's confession and return?
Principles1. A believer who has intentionally chosen sin over righteousness is in spiritual jeopardy.
2. We have the ability to "come to our senses" and return to the Lord.
3. In coming, we must confess our sins and repent, asking the Heavenly Father to make us His child once again.
4. The Father will welcome us back as one who was dead and is alive again.
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