Finding Forgiveness In The Father’s Heart

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Luke 15:18

Confession. Forgiveness. Inseparable halves of the same cleansing transaction. But it takes two willing hearts, as the lost son discovered.

Mired in the pigpen, he came to his senses and began the long trip home to his waiting father—a father only too willing to forgive.

Confession. It’s good for the soul and a whole lot more, as Charles Spurgeon notes.

WALK WITH CHARLES SPURGEON
“The grace of God in the heart teaches us that we, as Christians, own the duty of confession to our heavenly Father. We daily offend, and ought not to rest without daily pardon.

“If I have not sought forgiveness and been washed from the offenses against my Father, I shall feel like the prodigal, who, though still a child, was yet far off from his father.

“But if I go to him with a child’s sorrow at offending so gracious and loving a parent, and tell him all, and do not rest until I realize that I am forgiven, then I shall feel a holy love for my Father. I shall enjoy peace with God through Jesus Christ my Lord.

“There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit and confessing sin as a child. The Father’s bosom is the place for sorrowful confessions and for cleansing from the daily defilement of our daily walk.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD
The lost son must have wondered what reception awaited him:

“I told you so.” “Get out and stay out!” “You’re no longer my son.” But his fears were unfounded.

While the son was still far off, his father ran to embrace him.

Nothing is as tragic as a son or daughter unwilling to confess … unless it is a parent unwilling to forgive. But the child of God never needs to fear what coming home to the heavenly Father will bring.