The Father of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) (God's Love) (God's Grace) (God's Compassion) (God's Forgiveness)

(The prodigal son and his father meet. Click for source.)

The Father of the Prodigal Son

I am writing this article as a Protestant who cares for Catholics and anyone who believes that it is necessary for them to perform for God's love or do works in order to be forgiven and cleansed from sin. 

Some people (both Protestants and Catholics) hold onto a wrong view of God that when they sin and repent, that somehow God would expect them to perform "penances," or acts to help pay for their sin, or works to bring them back to a "right standing" with God. Some believe they should confess their sins to a spiritual leader (such as a priest). But, what does the Bible say about this?

The Bible Has the Answer

(Bible. Click for source.)

James 5:16 says: "[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

If someone has wronged you (such as spoken evil of you), he or she should confess that sin to you and ask your forgiveness. And, vice versa. This is not speaking about going to a person (or a priest) to confess one's sins to. If Jim gossiped about Bill, behind his back, he should confess his sin to Bill and ask for forgiveness. Likewise, Bill should do the same to Jim if Bill had mistreated Jim.

Many People Have a Wrong View of God Being Harsh or Distant When He Is Gracious, Kind, and Compassionate

Many People Have a Wrong View of God Being Harsh or Distant When He Is Gracious, Kind, and Compassionate

There are many people (including Christians) who view God the Father as a very harsh, strict, or aloof God. But, these beliefs are not biblical because God is perfect Love (1 John 4:16). And, Abba God is gracious, longsuffering (patiently enduring), and gentle in dealing with His children, as a loving Father.

(This is not what Jesus actually looked like,
but this painting by a young girl 
(a child prodigy)  may capture
 an idea of the love that Jesus has for us.
Click for source.)

Psalm 86:5 says: "For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Exodus 34:6 says: "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"

Isaiah 41:10 says: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Some Christians (like I used to struggle with) struggle with feeling that they have to perform for God's love and acceptance or perform to receive God's blessings in their lives. If they fail to do something they believe God wanted them to do, they might feel upset with themselves. If we do wrong, we need to genuinely repent, and then rest and receive God's forgiveness. Along with that, we need to forgive ourselves and seek to know God as our loving Abba Father, which is who He is.

1 John 1 is a very good chapter to read and meditate on. Here is a portion of it, below.

1 John 1, and Walking in the Light,
 and in Fellowship with God

Explaining Hebrews 12:1-2 (Explaining the Cloud of Witnesses, using the Bible)

Hebrews 12:1-2  

"[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(Elijah calls fire down from heaven. Click for source.

[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." [End quote]

Some people are mistaken about their interpretation of Hebrews 12:1-2. They say that we Christians are literally surrounded by the spirits of people such as Moses and Elijah, but that is not what Hebrews 12 is teaching. This verse is speaking figuratively about how the believers who have gone up to Heaven have lived. They lived by faith and overcome the enemy through God's power. Their lives are an inspiration to us and a witness of how God's power operates through our faith.

Expounding 2 Timothy 3:8-9 — False Teachers Exposed

Expounding 2 Timothy 3:8-9 — False Teachers Exposed [Print Document]

2 Timothy 3:8-9

“[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”

In this article we are going to expound and discuss 2 Timothy 3:8-9. We will look at how the sorcerers of Egypt, who withstood Moses, are no different than false teachers who resist the truth. We shall see how God will have to deal with them and with those who follow them.

Jannes and Jambres

Let’s start with Jannes and Jambres, two of the sorcerers in Pharaoh’s court. (Note: The Old Testament doesn’t mention them by name, but the Jews knew who they were.)

Rees Howells: Intercessor - Note for Page 46 - Wrongful Presentation of the Holy Ghost

(Click for source.)

Rees Howells: Intercessor (PDF): http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/downloads/rees-howells-intercessor-ebook.pdf

• This is a good book with powerful scripture references and inspiring examples from the life of a man who desired to serve God and do God's best will for his life. He saw miracles happen in answer to prayer and the course of World War 2 changed by way of his and others' prayers. This is an inspiring book to read and seek God through, but it does have some errors, as most Christian books do.

• There are more errors than I have been able to write about. So, we Christians need to be Bereans (Acts 17:10-11). I myself have been misled at times, so I offer this article with a desire to point out why God is a loving, caring, compassionate, patient, gracious, longsuffering Father.

-- Regarding Page 46 in the above PDF file:

Rees Howells was convicted that he was jealous about his friend who God had used to speak at an open-air meeting. But, after feeling convicted, Rees heard God asking him: "'Didn't you come out to the open air for these souls to be blessed?'... 'And if so, what difference does it make through whom I bless them?'" 

But, the voice Rees heard after that question was not speaking in agreement with God's Word, the Bible. The following voice said that Rees was to confess his sin of silently envying his friend's speaking abilities to that same friend. That same friend was ignorant that Rees had even envied him, but Rees was told to confess that sin to him. Then, the same voice told Rees that if Rees ever envied again, he would have to publicly confess that sin. 

The Bible Has the Answer

Rees Howells - Intercessor (Notes) and a PDF Link (It Is a Good Book with Some Errors)

Rees Howells - Intercessor (Notes) 
and a PDF Link

PDF Link: http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/downloads/rees-howells-intercessor-ebook.pdf

(Click for source.)

This is a good book with powerful scripture references and inspiring examples from the life of a man who desired to serve God and do God's best will for his life. He saw miracles happen in answer to prayer and the course of World War 2 changed by way of his and others' prayers. This is an inspiring book to read and seek God through, but it does have some errors, as most Christian books do. So, we Christians need to be Bereans. I myself have been misled at times, so I offer this article with a desire to point out why God is a loving, caring, compassionate, patient, gracious, longsuffering Father.

Below are some links articles about statements made in this book (Rees Howells: Intercessor) that are erroneous. We Christians can get into error, including this writer, so seeking to know God personally, being Bereans (Acts 17:11), and meditating on God's Word (John 8:31-32, Psalm 1:2) are important.