Why God’s Grace is Closer Than You Think
Have you ever misplaced something really important? Maybe your keys or your phone? You search everywhere, panic rising as you check the same places over and over. Then, just as you’re ready to give up, you find it—in the most obvious place, maybe right in your pocket all along! That relief, that joy when we recover something valuable, mirrors a far deeper truth: God’s love is never lost. It’s always there, waiting for us to return.
Today, we’ll explore one of Jesus’ most powerful parables—the story of the prodigal son. It’s a story of losing our way and, more importantly, finding our way back. It reminds us that no matter how far we wander, God’s mercy is waiting for us. Just as the father ran out to meet his lost son, our heavenly Father is always watching, ready to welcome us home. Returning to God’s love and mercy isn’t just the core of this parable; it’s the foundation of our faith. We may stumble, but God’s grace is steadfast. Let’s dive into this beautiful message and reflect on our own journey back to Him.
The parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15 is one of the most vivid and relatable stories Jesus shared. It tells the tale of a younger son who demanded his inheritance from his father, left home, and squandered everything in reckless living. Before long, he found himself penniless, hungry, and completely lost. It was only in the depths of his despair, when he hit rock bottom, that he came to his senses and realized the folly of his ways. He decided to return to his father, not as a son, but as a servant, hoping only for a place to survive. Yet, what awaited him was far more than he could have imagined—his father’s open arms and unconditional love.
We may not have asked for our inheritance and left for a distant land, but if we’re honest, we’ve all been the prodigal son at some point in our lives. We’ve made decisions that led us away from God—whether through selfish desires, neglect of our faith, or simply getting lost in the busyness of life. Just like the younger son, we’ve faced moments of regret, realising how far we’ve strayed from the warmth of our Father’s house. It’s in these moments of brokenness that we truly see ourselves.
The beauty of the prodigal son’s story isn’t just his fall, but his return. “When he came to his senses,” the Bible says, he recognized his need for his father’s mercy. And it’s the same for us. When we reach that point of clarity—when we ‘come to our senses’—we realize that God has been waiting for us all along, not to condemn us, but to restore us. His mercy is never distant; it’s as close as our decision to turn back. Just like the prodigal son, our return to God opens the door to forgiveness, grace, and a new beginning.
In biblical times, inheritance was more than just property or wealth; it represented position, responsibility, and blessing. The birthright, especially for the firstborn, held immense weight—it conferred leadership over the family and a double portion of the inheritance. However, we see in scripture that this birthright was sometimes taken for granted or even lost. Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, forfeited his birthright because of a grievous act of disobedience, and it was passed to Joseph’s sons. Esau, too, famously sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a single meal, valuing short-term gratification over long-term blessing. Both men lost not only wealth but the position and privilege that came with being the firstborn.
This theme of inheritance reminds us that the spiritual blessings we’ve been given are not to be taken lightly. Our inheritance is far more than material wealth; it’s our identity as children of God. We, too, must value our spiritual birthright, remembering that it is a precious gift. Just as Reuben and Esau lost their birthright through their actions, we are called to honour and cherish the inheritance we’ve been given in Christ.
The story of Elijah passing his prophetic spirit to Elisha further deepens this theme. Elisha’s request for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit wasn’t a selfish ask—it was a request to be seen as Elijah’s rightful heir, to continue the mission of representing God to the people. Spiritual inheritance is not just about receiving, but about carrying forward the work of God.
Ultimately, Christ is the true firstborn over all creation, as Colossians 1:15 declares. Through him, we are invited into a new birth, a living hope that surpasses all earthly wealth. Our inheritance in Christ is incorruptible—an eternal, spiritual inheritance that leads us into the fullness of life with God. Valuing and embracing this birthright means living in the light of God’s love and grace, with Christ as our cornerstone.
Ezekiel teaches us a powerful lesson about personal responsibility. In Ezekiel 18, God makes it clear that “the sins of the father do not define us.” Each person stands accountable for their own actions, and we are not bound by the wrongdoings of our ancestors. This is a liberating truth. While we may come from families with their own flaws and failings, we have the power to choose our path. God is saying, in essence, that no matter what legacy you inherit, you can choose righteousness. It’s a reminder that the way back to life is through repentance, and that begins with personal responsibility.
In today’s world, we can easily get trapped by our past mistakes or even feel the weight of others’ decisions bearing down on us. But Ezekiel’s message is clear: it’s not about what’s behind us, it’s about what we choose to do next. God isn’t interested in keeping score of our past failures. Instead, He’s interested in our hearts now, in this moment. Just like Peter’s words remind us, “It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you’re doing.” This means there’s always a way back to God, regardless of how far we’ve strayed.
God’s grace is constant, His arms always open, waiting for us to return. We may have wandered, lost our way, or made decisions we regret, but God’s forgiveness is bigger than our past. When we come to our senses, as the prodigal son did, we find a Father eager to embrace us. Repentance isn’t about wallowing in guilt; it’s about turning back to God, making that choice to live differently, right here and now.
This is the heart of the gospel: God’s grace meets us where we are. His desire isn’t to hold our past against us, but to lead us forward into new life. Repent and live.
The story of the prodigal son offers one of the most profound illustrations of repentance and reconciliation. When the younger son finally realizes the mess he’s made of his life, he begins the long walk home, rehearsing a speech in his head. He plans to say, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” In his mind, this speech is crucial. But when he gets close, something remarkable happens: his father is already watching for him, and instead of waiting for the apology, he runs out to meet him.
This is the heart of the story. The son’s journey home wasn’t about delivering a perfect speech; it was about the Father’s relentless love. The father’s heart had never turned away from his son, even when the son was at his lowest. This image of the father watching and waiting is a picture of God’s love for us. No matter how far we’ve wandered, God is always watching, ready to run to us the moment we turn back.
Repentance, then, is more than just a moment of regret—it’s a recognition of our deep need for God’s grace. It’s not about eloquence or even self-justification. Repentance is the humble acknowledgment that we’ve strayed, that we can’t fix things on our own, and that we need to return to the Father’s embrace.
Reconciliation follows naturally from this moment of repentance. Just as the father in the parable didn’t wait for a long apology, but instead celebrated his son’s return, God’s love covers our sins when we come back to Him. It’s not the length of our apology but the sincerity of our heart that matters. God is more eager to forgive than we are to ask for it. His love is always greater than our failings.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul writes, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” This verse beautifully captures the tension between how we see ourselves now and how we will one day be fully known by God. Right now, our self-reflection is imperfect—we see ourselves dimly, often missing both our flaws and our potential. But God, who sees us clearly, invites us to step into a deeper understanding of who we are.
Self-reflection, then, is a key part of our spiritual journey. Coming to ourselves, like the prodigal son did, involves an honest look in the mirror. Not the kind of quick glance that lets us move on without seeing the details, but a deeper examination. We see our imperfections—our failures, our weaknesses, and our sins. It’s uncomfortable, but necessary. This is the moment when we realize just how much we need Jesus. Without him, we remain flawed and distant from God.
But here’s the beauty: while we see ourselves in brokenness, God sees us through the lens of grace. He sees not just who we are now, but who we are becoming in Christ. As Paul says, “then we shall see face to face.” That’s the promise—we will one day be fully transformed, clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Right now, we may feel incomplete, but God’s work in us is ongoing. He doesn’t dwell on our failures but sees our potential, our capacity to reflect His image.
We’re invited to embrace this journey of coming to ourselves—not in despair, but in hope. By seeing ourselves clearly, both our need for grace and the work God is doing in us, we can walk in confidence. We are not finished yet, but we are loved and being made new in Christ every day.
As we reflect on the story of the prodigal son and our own journeys, let’s remember this central truth: God’s grace is not something we can earn. It is a gift—freely given to all who turn back to Him. No matter how far we have wandered or how unworthy we feel, God is always ready to welcome us home. Like the father in the parable, He waits for us with open arms, full of love and compassion, eager to restore us to Himself.
Our call today is simple: let us, like the prodigal son, return to the Father. Whether we’ve strayed in small ways or big, now is the time to come home. It’s not about having the perfect words or the right qualifications. It’s about humbling ourselves and recognizing our deep need for God’s grace.
And as we journey towards Him, we live in hope. One day, Christ will return, and we will see Him face to face. We will be transformed, fully reflecting His glory. What a promise! What a gift! Let this hope fuel us, giving us strength as we walk each day with the knowledge that we are loved, forgiven, and destined for a life with our heavenly Father.