He said something in one of his sermons that has stuck with me. He spoke about when his child began to walk that he wasn't upset after he fell after the first two or three steps. Instead, he was absolutely stoked at his child taking two steps. He then wondered if that is how God feels about us when we try to live in righteousness and love Him. Specifically, he mused after we sin (fall down) and ask for forgiveness, don't you think God is excited to pick us up and say... two more steps this time, go a little farther!
His depiction of God as a loving father is so absolutely accurate. This doesn't mean God condones or doesn't "notice" our sin, Hebrews 12 makes it clear that God disciplines us as a loving Father. But, as a loving father he is also filled with grace and care... even more so than our earthly fathers!God is so excited to see us come back to him, because what was once dead is now alive again. Today, I am consumed in thoughts of God's grace, not to condone sin, but to save me from it.
Luke 15:11-32... a beautiful picture of God's love and grace for you and me.
