Right Relationship With The Father

This morning I am reading from Galatians 4:

(NIV)Galatians 4:4-7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

I was thinking in the same way, this is how the Lord wants us to live, free within our relationship with Him. If we look at the parable of the wayward son, the Lord, is really after relationship with us - Luke 15:11-32. However, He wants us to be in right relationship with Him, and with a right heart attitude. The first son wanted to take advantage of all the Father gave him for personal pleasure and gain. Interesting that the Father let him do that, in the same way that Father will let us make our own choices, even if they are bad. The second son, although he stayed and didn't abuse his relationship with the Father, clearly didn't know his Father's heart. He thought it was through his service and obedience that he would gain access to Father's extravagant love, clearly he had a works mentality. Again, the Father allowed him to operate in this mode, as it is part of free will.

What is clear from the Father's answers to both sons, when He talks to them, is his unconditional love, and desire for relationship. There is freedom in right relationship, but the Father knows the better way and is just longing to be able to embrace us, and show us.

One wonders how much of the time is the Father just wanting to embrace us, love us and lavish blessings upon us, and we are either focused only on selfish pursuit, or slaving away in some sort of work mentality? Lord, help us to understand that we really have been adopted by You, and You are our Father.