Daily Devotion

“God desires that they might perhaps awaken, earnestly forsake their wickedness, and turn their hearts to trust in the merit of the Saviour; then He will forgive their sins and spare them eternal suffering. Therefore it is said: God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should repent. To repent is to repent of and forsake all one's evil; then, through the merit of the Saviour, one obtains the forgiveness of sins.”

Liang Fa · Good Words to Admonish the Age (Quanshi liangyan, 1832), vol. 7

Scripture

Luke 15:17-20 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough to eat, and here I am starving to death? I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired hands.’ So he got up and went to his father. While he was still a distance away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him.

Reflection

We often mistake gambling, smoking, fighting, and vanity for life's pleasures, unaware that these are gradually eroding our souls. Even the prodigal son once believed freedom lay in the distance, only "waking up" to his impoverished state. Liang Fa wrote that God desires people to "awaken, earnestly forsake their wickedness, and turn their hearts to trust in the merit of the Saviour," and so forgives their sins. Are you willing today to leave that seemingly joyful but ultimately destructive path and return home? Your father has always been waiting at the door.