And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Luke 15:20-21 New King James Version

The prodigal son in the parable was always a son, even when he was estranged from his father. The father had never loved or treated him less favourably—but because the son was unaware of his father's heart towards him, he could never enjoy and reciprocate the relationship.

Many people have a hard time believing God loves them.

They cannot fully receive all God has to offer through Christ because they haven't comprehended how wide and how long and how high and how deep God's love in Christ is. (Ephesians 3:18). In this sense, it is important to testify God's love to everyone so that they know Him and experience first-hand that love and be reconciled to Him.

When we can't recognise God's love for the lost and those who have gone astray, it is easy for us to be judgemental and condescending towards people. Because of this mindset and attitude, Christians are known for what they are against rather than what they are for. As such, lots of people look at Christians with a certain sense of disdain, negativity and cynicism.

If we really believe God is love and that we have His unfailing love resonating in us, then we are to reveal and reflect His love in the way we speak and treat others. Imagine what will happen when we make God's heart for the lost the main reason for our being here? Imagine what will happen when we have a passion for people to want God in their lives? Imagine what will happen when these people discover for themselves God's all-encompassing love, acceptance and forgiveness?

As you receive God's hospitality of grace and love, learn to extend it to a broken and fearful and lonely world. The gospel tells us God's amazing grace saves all through Jesus Christ. This is crucial because when people get to hear the gospel and truly embrace it—there is no place for guilt, shame and condemnation to rob them of their righteous confidence before the Father and to live out who they really are in Christ.