The love of God still yearns over the one who has chosen to separate from Him, and He sets in operation influences to bring him back to the Father's house. The prodigal son in his wretchedness "came to himself." The deceptive power that Satan had exercised over him was broken. He saw that his suffering was the result of his own folly, and he said, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to may father." Miserable as he was, the prodigal found hope in the conviction of his father's love. It was that love which was drawing him toward home. So it is the assurance of God's love that constrains the sinner to return to God. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Rom. 2:4. A golden chain, the mercy and compassion of divine love, is passed around every imperiled soul. The Lord declares, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jer.31:3.

Guds kærlighed længes stadig efter den, der har valgt at skilles fra ham, og han finder midler til at påvirke ham og bringe ham tilbage til faderhuset. I sin ynkelige tilstand gik den fortabte søn "i sig selv". Den fortryllelse som Satan havde udøvet over ham, blev brudt. Han indså, at hans lidelser var et resultat af hans egen dårskab, og han sagde: "Hvor mange daglejere hjemme hos min fader har ikke fuldt op af mad? og her er jeg ved at sulte ihjel. Jeg vil stå op og gå til min fader" Så elendig, som han var fandt han dog håb i forvisningen om sin faders kærlighed. Det var denne kærlighed, der drog ham mod hjemmet. Således er det også visheden om Guds kærlighed, der tvinger synderen til at vende tilbage til Gud. "Guds godhed leder til omvendelse." Guds kærlighed, barmhjertighed og nåde lægges som en gylden lænke omkring hver synder der er i fare. Herren siger: "Jeg elsked dig med evig kærlighed, drog dig derfor i nåde."