What about repentance?
That is not raised by Paul right in this verse, but it is implied. God does not forcibly adopt. He does not send out stern-faced angels to drag newly acquired children back into his house. Having paid the contract price he made known the offer of a return to his family. There is only one way to respond to that offer: repentance, contrition. Some will respond to that offer. To such a person forgiveness of sin is given.
Forgiveness follows redemption. Forgiveness flows in the family.
Lavishing?
Let’s reach back to Ephesians 1:7 and add its last phrase and a bit of the next verse onto redemption, to forgiveness.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, (Ephesians 1:7-8a–ESV)
The word that I wish to float up into our discussion is lavish. Synonyms of lavish include abundance, copious, perhaps even excess.
In All She Ever Wanted Lynn Austin wrote of 9-year-old Kathleen and her poor, highly dysfunctional family. When she stood up to the class bully to protect the class queen an unlikely relationship sprung up. May Elizabeth was from a wealthy family. May Elizabeth’s mother was kind and these two children spent a lot of time together at May Elizabeth’s house. There Kathleen experienced life, family, food, shag carpets and many other things beyond what she had ever imagined. Austin does not paint May Elizabeth’s life as lavish, excessive, or materialistic, but simply different. When dad runs the largest company in town certain opportunities come trailing along. Kathleen encountered some of this trail.
While you probably have not read Austin’s novel perhaps you have read the Bible, or maybe have more context for that1. Remember that woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, dried them with her hair and went on to lavishly anointed them with fragrant oil? My how that jittered the Pharisees. What was Jesus’ reply? The one who has been forgiven much loves much.
Alternatively, think of Paul, this time not in the context of his authorship of this book, but of his background and his conversion. Despite his becoming the foremost minister to Gentiles he never forgot the enormous price paid for his redemption or the abundance of his forgiven sins. For him, the phrase “riches of his grace” fit. The word lavished fit, too.
Both Paul and this woman were sinners in need of help. Each had lived with egregious sins related to morality. The sins of one grew up from immorality. The other’s sins grew up from the pride of morality. The life of Christ convicted the woman and what he offered through his death convicted the man. The woman knew the excess of her sins and the man the excess of his pride. Riches of grace, abundance of forgiveness were needed and God offered it. Their task was to accept it and move on into their new life.
Who are you like?
Are you like the woman in Luke? What about Kathleen or May Elizabeth? What about Paul? Probably you can see how your life might fit alongside one of these 4 characters. Each had needs. You and I have needs. God has real solutions. They are not on sale, but a ready-made offer. Of course, you have to give up yourself, but it is the perfect exchange. Do it! You will not regret it.
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