To Live or to Leave

February 5, 2024

A Startling Misread

It’s 4:30 a.m. on a Monday. I must have been more exhausted than I realized after a long day of serving at church yesterday because I fell asleep without even changing clothes.

After praying, I opened Our Daily Bread and was startled by the poster’s bold statement:

“Go live your life of sin.”

My immediate reaction was one of confusion. “Wait, what? Who said that in the Bible? Did Jesus or God the Father say this? Who were they so angry with?”

Curiosity mingled with guilt as I anxiously read further. What if God is so tired of my sins that He’s telling me to just go and get lost?

A Gentle Reminder of Grace

The message turned out to be from John 8:2–11, the story of the woman caught in adultery. Religious leaders brought her to Jesus, attempting to trap Him. The story famously ends with all her accusers leaving, one by one, after Jesus says:

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Finally, Jesus turns to the woman and says:

“Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

When I scrolled back up to the poster, I realized I had misread it. It didn’t say “live”—it said “leave.”

Does God Say “Go Live Your Life of Sin”?

This mistake led me to a profound question: Does God ever get so angry that He might say, “Go live your life of sin”?

If we’re honest, parts of the Old Testament might make it seem that way. God’s anger is real, as are His grief and even weariness at humanity’s rebellion. But His character is overwhelmingly loving, patient, forgiving, and gracious.

This brought to mind the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32.

The Father’s Love: A Closer Look

In the story, the younger son demands his inheritance, leaves his father’s house, and squanders everything on reckless living. The father grants his request, allowing him to choose his own path.

Was the father wrong to let his son go? Did he tell him, “Go and live your life of sin”? Was he angry at his son?

The answer to all three is a resounding no.

Respect for Free Will

The father wasn’t wrong. He allowed his son to leave out of respect for his free will. In the same way, God honors the freedom He has given us, even when we choose to stray.

The father didn’t condemn his son or send him away in anger. Instead, he waited every day, hoping for his son’s return. Had the son called out for help, the father would have been there in an instant. He never abandoned him.

(At least the son didn’t blame his father for his mistakes. He didn’t say, “Where were you when I was at my lowest point?” Instead, he took responsibility, recognizing that his suffering was the consequence of his choices—not a result of his father’s neglect.)

A Joyful Reunion

When the son finally returned, he was met with neither anger nor resentment. Instead, the father rejoiced and showered him with love.

The story of the prodigal son is ultimately about the extravagant love of the father. The word prodigal doesn’t just refer to someone who leaves and returns; it also means someone who spends recklessly. In this case, the father’s extravagance was in his unrestrained love for his child.

The Heart of Our Heavenly Father

This is a reflection of the heart of our Heavenly Father.

If we choose to wander outside His grace into the world—the domain of the enemy—He may allow it, not out of anger or rejection, but because He respects our free will. Even then, He waits patiently, hoping for our return, ready to save us the moment we call out to Him.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:8–9