The apostle Paul wrote, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).

How can God’s goodness influence sinful men to repent? This question is answered in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24).

The younger son was tired of living in his father’s house, following his father’s rules, waiting on his father to die to receive his inheritance. He demanded his inheritance, and upon receiving it, he journeyed as far away from his father as he could to live as his wished.

Soon the money ran out, the land fell into a famine, and he found himself in a desperate situation. He ended up doing something no self-respecting Jew would do – he was feeding a Gentile’s swine. The friends who helped him spend his inheritance were nowhere to be found. “No one gave him anything” (Luke 15:16).

The son had an awakening. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants”’” (Luke 15:17-19).

This man remembered there was a place where people were treated better. He recalled how good his father was to his servants. They always had more food than they needed. He knew where he could receive mercy. Despite the way he had dishonored his father, he was led back home because of his father’s goodness.

It doesn’t matter what we do, God is always watching for us to return. He will receive us back and restore us as His faithful child if we will repent. Why should we repent? Because our God is rich in goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering.