The Word for Today
2026-04-12
True repentance brings restoration
Written by Bob and Debby Gass
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the meaning of true repentance. It's about a young Jewish man who rebelled against all that he'd been taught, turned his back on his father, was lured by the bright lights of the big city, and ended up in a pigpen feeding swine. But he did three things that turned his life around.
First, he changed his mind. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'" (v. 17 NIV). Second, he redirected his will. "I will... go back to my father and say to him: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you'" (v. 18 NIV). Third, he took action. "So he got up and went to his father" (v. 20 NIV).
Repentance is a change of mind, which brings about a change of will, and results in a change of action. It led to the prodigal's forgiveness and restoration to his family. Here are two things about sin you need to know:
(1) God will uncover every sin you try to cover up. "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts" (1 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV).
(2) God will cover every sin you uncover. "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV). Go ahead - confess and forsake your sin, and God will cover it with the blood of Christ. There is no good reason to wait. Do it now.
Soul food: Ps 23; Luke 15:1-7; Rev 7:13-17
Links to Bible verses: Holy Bible
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