THE SCRIPTURES tell us how to live and, sometimes, how not to live.
They do not tell us only what God hates; they remind us of what God loves.
God hates lawlessness. He loves righteousness. (Heb. 1:9)
The Narrative
THERE was a man in the scriptures who had two sons.
The younger one said to the dad, "Father, eventually, I'm going to inherit my share of your estate. So rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now."
And so, the Father liquidated assets and divided them. (Luke 15:11-12)
A few days later, the younger son gathered all he had and left for a distant land.
No one knew his heart until he left home.
He moved to where he could live without rules—where no one would put him in check.
Unbeknownst to him, he was setting himself up for failure.
Seek Counsel
WHENEVER YOU are deciding on anything, be careful to think deeply.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors, there is safety. (Prov. 11:14)
A relationship without rules will lead to rebellion
Choose Wisely
YOU SAY your choices are better than God's when you live as you please.
When you refuse His instructions, you prefer yourself to Him.
But when you obey His Word, you give Him his rightful place—and God is pleased.
He takes delight in the welfare of His servant. (Ps. 35:27)
Rules are Necessary
THE PRODIGAL SON thought he knew how to live when he left home but discovered that he still had so much to learn.
He needed to understand that a relationship without instructions would lead to rebellion.
He loved his Father but not his rules.
Not Enough
AFTER he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in the land, and he began to live in the space of not enough.
So, he approached a citizen of the country who hired him to feed pigs.
He longed to feed himself with the pig's food, and no one gave to him.
The prodigal son realized that no one was as gracious as his Father.
We (believers) do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but one who, in every respect, has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then draw near to the throne of grace so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. (Heb. 4:15-16)
Right Mind
SOMEONE said: Scarcity focuses the mind—this was true for him.
He wasn't in his right mind when he lived carelessly.
But when he came to his senses, he said: 'How many of my Father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'
I will set out and go back to my Father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. (Luke 15:17-19)
He could see himself in his Father's story.
Messed Up
AT THIS POINT, he acknowledged that he was wrong and his dad was right.
But more is needed to acknowledge you're wrong. First, you must be willing to make amends.
He acknowledged that he had brought shame to his family and was willing to change his ways.
So he said to himself: 'I am no longer worthy of being called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' (Luke 15:19)
But when he returned home, his Father saw him from afar.
He ran to his son and hugged him. Then, as he asked for forgiveness, he told them to change his clothes and put his ring on him. (Luke 15:20)
Until you accept that you are wrong, God will never be right in your eyes.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
GOD's MESSAGE will make no impact except you see yourself in this story.
Until sin is bitter to you, grace will never be sweet.
If you do not have Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, or perhaps you're a Christian, and there's a sin in your life, this is an opportunity to reconcile with him.
He's waiting to have you!