Finding Father....

Jesus told three stories about things which were lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. The sheep knew it was lost but did not know the way home; the coin did not know it was lost nor did it know the way home and the son knew he was lost but he knew the way home. You can read these in Luke 15.

One of these stories may describe how you feel!

God's Plan

God's original plan was that we would enjoy relationship with Him. He is the perfect Father and we were made in His image. Because He made us to be like Him we have free choice. This free choice opened the way for Adam and Eve to disobey God and choose to go their own way. It was through this act of disobedience that 'sin' entered the human race. Sin is the wrong things we all do, things that displease God, that cause us to go our own way and walk away from Him. It is this sin that separates us from God.

The Breakdown

This breakdown in relationship leaves an emptiness inside of us which we try to fill with all sorts of things: money, drugs, alcohol, affairs, sex, sport, music or by working hard at being good. None of these can fully satisfy the hole which was meant to be filled with God's love.

God's Answer

God could not allow sin into His presence. He could not compromise His integrity by allowing a sinful man back into relationship with Him. Because of His love for us He had to find a way for us to come back home to Him. He did this by sending His own son, Jesus, to come into the world and live as a man. The Bible says that Jesus came to point the way to the Father and so give us the chance of finding His heart again. Jesus did this by dying on a cross and bearing all the wrong things you and I have ever done and ever will do. This great act of love, which caused him to be separated from his father, made it possible for us to be reconciled with God again. He did it because he knew that God wanted to be a Father to us.

Because of what Jesus did it is possible for God to forgive you now for all your sin. You can receive this free gift today which enables you to come back to the Father. This means that you can live with Him forever.

So if you are like the lost sheep, the lost coin or the lost son you can be found by the Father. It does not matter what you have done or what you are like - this is a free gift which is available for EVERYONE. No one is excluded!

Receiving this gift is as simple as A, B, C....

Accept that you have walked away from God and gone your own way. Accept that you need to come back home to the Father. Accept that you need Jesus to forgive your sins.

Believe that Jesus came from the Father to take your sin, to die in your place. This takes an act of faith - it is putting your trust in a Person. John 3:16 says that everyone who believes in Jesus will be saved from sin and will have everlasting life. Believe that Jesus is the way for you to come to the Father.

Confess (which means to say 'sorry') the things you have done wrong and ask God to forgive you. Decide in your heart that you are going to turn round and walk GodÕs way in future.

Now ask God to come and live in your life by His Spirit. Accept His free gift of forgiveness and you will find that God wants to be a Father to you!

If you would like to come home here is a prayer you could pray. The exact words don't matter - it is what you in your heart that counts.

Father God, I know that I have walked away from you and gone my own way. I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done and today I want to turn and walk your way rather than my own. I want to come home.

Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross in my place so that I could be forgiven. I receive the free gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for sending Jesus to be the way back to you so that I can now know you as my Father.

Thank you that you will be a Father to me. Amen.

What to do now:

Buy a modern translation of the Bible and start to read it regularly. Start in the New Testament and read some of the stories about Jesus.

Start talking to God - we call it prayer. Thank Him for what He has done. Say sorry for what you do wrong. Ask Him for what you need. Tell Him about your day - He loves to hear from you!

Find a local church that can help you grow in this new relationship with your Father. You may want to find a church which runs an Alpha course which is a practical introduction to the Christian faith. Click here for more details.

Tell a close friend.

You may want to read the Father's Love Letter which is a series of Bible verses telling of God's love for you and His desire to be YOUR Father.

A Father to YOU

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© Mark Gyde 2010
Part of Fatherheart Ministries (UK charity number 1106166)
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