DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
Grace Does Not Deny Sin, It Defeats It
DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
Grace Does Not Deny Sin, It Defeats It
Luke 15:24
"For this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."
When the younger son returned, the father did not excuse what had happened. He did not say it was no big deal or pretend there was no damage. He used strong words to describe the truth: his son had been dead. He had been lost. Grace did not skip over the seriousness of sin. It met it head on with mercy.
Jesus never downplayed the cost of rebellion. He called sin what it was. But He also made it clear that the Father stands ready to restore anyone who will come home. The path back is not paved with excuses. It is paved with repentance. And on that path, the Father is not passive. He is running to meet the broken and embrace them in love.
This kind of grace is not soft. It is holy. It does not pretend sin is harmless. It simply insists that mercy is greater. The younger son had every reason to expect rejection. But the Father’s response was not cold. It was celebration. What was dead had come back to life.
That is the power of grace. It does not deny sin. It defeats it. It does not erase the past. It writes a new future. You do not need to fix yourself before you come home. You need only to come to your senses and turn toward the Father. He will take care of the rest.
Reflection:
Where have you been minimizing the seriousness of sin in your life? Let God meet you with truth and mercy today. Come honestly, but come quickly. He is ready to restore what has been lost.
Prayer:
"Father, thank You that Your grace is honest and holy. Thank You that You do not deny the damage of sin, but that You meet it with the power of mercy. Help me not to hide or excuse what is broken. I turn toward You today, trusting that You will receive me with joy. Amen."