Day 15/260: Read Luke 15

How should we respond to one who repents? With doubt? With suspicion? With bitterness? No! Such attitudes are shameful when someone comes to the truth and expresses a desire to live as God commands.

Jesus tells three parables here about sinners. In the first, He tells us “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” In the second, He says “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

In the third parable, however, we see the improper attitude in the prodigal son’s older brother. He heard the music and discovered the occasion was the prodigal’s return home. “But he was angry and would not go in.” He was upset that his father was rejoicing because the prodigal had “devoured your livelihood with harlots.” The elder son believed he had been slighted, but the father corrected him.

“Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.”

We are so blessed when we are in Christ! Shouldn’t we be excited to share those blessings with the penitent?

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Luke 12:15, And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Pray

Pray for your erring brethren, that they may repent, and for a proper attitude toward them when those prayers are answered!