Extravagant Grace!

One of the most popular reality TV shows of all times was the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The premise of the show was to find a family who was truly deserving and in need of a home makeover. And while the family vacations, crews came in and completely remodeled and in some cases built a new home. When the family returns and their new home is revealed, the family is overwhelmed by the unexpected, extravagant grace--a gift of a new or remodeled home, plus other gifts too. And what made the show so popular was extravagant grace. When the prodigal returned home, he did not know what kind of reception he would receive from his father. At best he had hoped that his dad would hire him as a day laborer. He was not prepared for the shower of extravagant grace: the gift of sonship in a new pair of sandals; the gift of honor with the best robe; and the gift of authority as his dad gave him the signet ring--in essence the family credit card. In a spiritual sense, God not only forgives us, but He also lavishes us with the gift of son-ship, the gift of honor as we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and the gift of authority as we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise! Plus there's one more gift: the gift of a party to celebrate the lost being found. A party to end all parties to celebrate the extravagant grace of the Father in going on right now in heaven as sinners repent of their sins and trust in Christ for their salvation! All the result of God's extravagant grace!