Repentance always takes you back to where you sinned, so that you can admit that it was wrong and determine not to follow that path again.  In Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) the once-foolish young man had decided to repent, but knew he had to return to his father's house to deliver his confession and seek his mercy. But his father was already waiting for his return.  Seeing him in the distance the old man ran to greet him, driven by love. Wrapped in parental embrace, the prodigal admitted his sin against God and his father.

The young man had planned to confess his unworthiness and then plead for a position as a menial servant on his father’s estate (Luke 15:18-19).  He had no expectation of anything except mercy at best.  But his father not only accepted the apology but gave him no time to beg for a servant's job.  And he was fully reinstated as a son.  Mercy and grace were wrapped together in love (Psalm 85:10; Psalm 103:8) in the same way with which God deals with His sinful and needy children (Hebrews 4:16).  More than that, a great celebration was organised.  Jesus adds some details of the love lavished on the once-errant son (1 John 3:1) when the prodigal was made 'guest of honour' with new clothes. The ring was the family signet ring, showing that the father now fully trusted the young man with his business.  The celebratory feast demanded that the animal be sacrificed.  So much had been lost – the value of a share of the estate, the good reputation of the son.  But in the father’s eyes none of that mattered because his son was back home.  

In the parable, the father represents Father God: His grace is so generous that even those who have wasted their inheritance are given as much again when they come back in repentance.  Jesus was teaching that true repentance leads to full restoration of relationship with God.  What amazing grace!  The devil does not like that message and so sows evil seeds of doubt.  Satan says, ‘You are not good enough to be accepted ... you will have to do many good things to prove you are trustworthy ... you can never have the same place in God's affections again ... how do you know your repentance is real ... how can you trust yourself again ... God will not welcome you through the front door!’  These are all lies.  God longs to say: ‘Welcome, celebrate; my son is home again’!

So, don't listen to Satan's lies or believe that relationship with God depends on your goodness.  It is two-way.  When you repent, Father God comes to meet you, welcome you and restore you.  That is the wonder of the Gospel. Please share it with your friends and colleagues who are crushed under the legacy of their own sin or the cruelty of others. www.crosscheck.org.uk may help them too.