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God’s mercy is greater than our sins. Scripture says:
“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20).”
In Luke 15, in the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, we discover the utter delight Our Heavenly Father takes in showering His mercy on those who turn to Him for forgiveness. Christians are called not only to experience reconciliation with God, but to be ambassadors of reconciliation to the world (cf. Mt. 6:14; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).
- We must persevere “to the end” (Mt. 10:22; 24:13) “in the kindness of God” (Rom. 11:22) in order to reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12).
- Scripture mentions several cases of Christians who have fallen away through sin and returned (e.g., 1 Tim. 5:8; Heb. 6:4-6; Jas. 5:19-20; 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
- Saint Paul, who had one of the most dramatic and profound conversions in 2,000 years of Christianity, writes, “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27).
- Saint Paul further advises those who are already Christians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).
Christians are called to cultivate the theological virtue of hope, which is the confident expectation of divine blessing and eternal life with God. He is waiting to embrace each prodigal son and daughter that turns back to Him. Further, all Christians have received the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them lead godly lives.
Make sure to read:
4 Reasons Why Salvation Is A Work In Progress was originally published on elev8.hellobeautiful.com
