Every good undertaking has a plan. This plan shows the sequence of the process, making it possible to see mistakes, miscalculations, gaps, excesses, and deficiencies in advance. It is not difficult for a person to quickly identify a violation when something does not proceed according to plan.
Does God have a plan concerning the reception of love? Yes, and it is clearly presented in chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, in the parable of the prodigal son.
This account partially describes the process of maturation itself and the steps that determine the stages of readiness in making decisions.
Understanding that your Father is rich and great, and desiring to possess these treasures for your own benefit. Receiving the Father’s riches and the freedom to use them at your own discretion. Yet a wrong choice was made and sin was committed. Spiritual poverty and hunger. Realizing a special need for spiritual blessing. Searching for information that satisfies spiritual thirst. Tasting the products offered by the world. I came to myself. (The key word is “I.”) Remembering the blessings the Father possesses and comparing that life with the present condition. Making the decision to return to the Father and repent. I arose and went. (The key word is “went.”) My acceptance by the Father. My repentance. Receiving all Heavenly blessings, riches, authority, and status. Being misunderstood by relatives and those close to me, and encountering their open hostility and dislike.
Every student in the School of Christ passes through all these stages. This is God’s plan for us, for our spiritual formation and growth. This plan is designed in such a way that harmony cannot be attained by skipping any of the points listed. God desires me to evaluate correctly the potential of my opportunities, the danger of the world, and the power of grace. He desires to see thirst within me as I recognize my spiritual poverty. God seeks to deal not with insane people who are enchanted by the temptations of the world and unaware of the ruinous nature of their condition, but with those who understand what is happening and where they are.
Making a decision is a very good thing. Yet a person may spend an entire lifetime doing nothing, merely dreaming about changes and reflecting upon victories and future achievements. At some point, a person must simply arise and go toward the goal, setting tasks along the way to attain it. Jesus Himself says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,” making it clear that merely desiring is not enough; action is also necessary. If I have chosen love and its attainment, it is difficult for me to make a mistake and fail to reach the goal. It is like being afraid of missing the ocean when jumping with a parachute.
At the same time, it is very important for me to acknowledge that I am wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, because this is exactly what I truly am.
My Heavenly Father has long been waiting for me in order to receive me into the embrace of His love and give me more than I ask. He desires to enrich me, clothe me, endow me with authority, and then share a meal with me. Does this parable not remind us of the message to Laodicea?
I will not be able to avoid hostility from those close to me; it will accompany me everywhere. Yet my status in the Father’s eyes will support me and protect me from evil.
At some point, I will begin sharing with other people the love of God that I have received, and I will even begin explaining how easily it can be obtained. But before promising something to those near me, I must remember my own path and understand the stage at which my student presently stands.
There will also be those who have a great advantage over me because they have never lived in the world and are pure in their conduct. Yet sin may once have damaged their minds as well. These people also need God’s plan of healing, and they too must pass through every stage of restoration in order to receive Heavenly blessings. The Father tells them, “All that I have is thine.” Yet something is lacking in these people, and therefore everything does not proceed according to plan.
But publicans and harlots believe in the plan, follow it, and receive.
I do not desire to upset or humiliate anyone, but I ask each person to examine their heart and understand where they are, whether they are upon a dangerous path, and where the Eternal way is, so that they may enter it and walk in it while preserving purity and holiness.
God always has exceptions to the rules, yet there is also a plan of Salvation according to which He acts quite predictably and faithfully in order to save everyone and give love to those who come, ask, and believe.
Please read Romans 2:4; Luke 15:11–24; Revelation 3:14–22; and Philippians 2:13 in the light of this lesson. What did you understand from this lesson? At what stage of growth did you see yourself? In what way is the parable similar to the message to Laodicea? Do you believe that the Heavenly Father receives you when you decide to come to Him? What did you like about this lesson? Are you ready for far-reaching changes in your life?