30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 11-32 To seek and the save the lost - The prodigal son 27 Moving from death to life
📖 Luke 15:11-32
09Mar2020 - *Moving from death to life* - _Luke 15:11-32_ - Bible reading: _Ephesians 2:1-7_
_Luke 15:22-24 “But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. (23) And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry._
The son has returned home and there were three items that he receives from his father, only by grace. We have considered these three items. The celebration now begins. The father gives the reason for the celebration. “…my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”. Talking to his elder son, later in the parable, the father repeats the same reason for the celebration _(vs 32)_.
This is the heart of God. When we went away from God, we are dead and when we come back to Him, we come back to life.
The Lord told us that we would surely die if we broke relationship with Him. _Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."_
So, when man chose to rebel, reject and decided to be independent of God, he died. This death here is the certain death of man, where we are alienated from God. _Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled._ It was through the cross that God has reconciled us back to Him and brought us back to life. _Ephesians 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being *alienated from the life of God*, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;_
Our death was not only the alienation from God, who is the source of life but our death was also that death, which was set in motion in our members. _Romans 7:23-24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?_ A law, called the law of sin and death became operational in us.
It was from this death too that God has reconciled us to Him, through Christ, giving us life. _Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,_
We have therefore passed from death to life. This great transition necessitates for celebration in the presence of God.
*Thought to ponder*
```Ours ought to be a life of continuous celebration since we are constantly experiencing life in all its abundance.```