The Expectation Gap: Home and Shalom

In this concluding message of the Expectation Gap series, Karl Ihfe tackles the challenging topic of sin and punishment by examining Luke 15 and the famous parable of the prodigal son. He poses a crucial question: when we sin, who punishes us - God or sin? Through the story of the father and his two lost sons, Karl illustrates that the father's loving posture never changes toward either son, whether the one lost in rebellion or the one lost in self-righteousness. Both sons misjudged their father because sin distorts our vision of who God really is, making us see Him as a judge or accuser rather than a loving parent.

Karl explains that sin functions not merely as individual moral mistakes, but as a condition we live under - a state of enslavement that punishes us from the inside out. When we lie, lust, or harbor bitterness, sin itself becomes the punishment, robbing us of freedom, joy, and authentic relationships. God doesn't stand ready to "zap" us when we mess up; instead, like a loving parent warning a child not to touch a hot stove, He calls out warnings because He knows how devastating sin can be. The good news is that God is the restorer while sin is the destroyer, God is the liberator while sin is the slave master, and God's invitation to come home remains constant regardless of how lost we've become.

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