Today the LORD has led me to the parable of the "prodigal son," but with a bit of a different twist! Most of the time when we hear these verses referenced they talked about the unconverted person, not the weak and back sliding believer. For the most part of my recent social networking adventures, shall we call them, I've run into a lot of Christians that are having a very hard walk of faith. Some even contemplating walking away! I've never gotten to the point of walking away, thank GOD, but there has been many a time that I've struggled with a weaken faith. We are all human and will at times become so burdened down by our lives and the world, that we have doubts in our beliefs.
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.a’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Now most of us that have been a Christian for any length of time have read this or heard the topic preached on, it is a favorite of a lot of ministers. In this story we see one that decides to walk away from the 'family' to do his own thing. Sometimes we as Christians stray away from our profession of faith to live like we used to. I've been told by those outside the faith, "that Christianity is just a cop out", "just a way of getting away from the life you've lived." I'll let these know that it is far, far harder to walk a life as a Christian then it is an unbeliever and if they don't believe me, tell them to give it a try!!!
An unbeliever never gets convicted within their heart of their sins. They feel no grief or compassion for another when they've done someone wrong.If you walk with JESUS though these are far from true. You're more like to suffer great pangs of remorse for every little error within your walk then anyone can imagine. What I really love about the faith is that this isn't coming from me, the fleshly part, it's coming from deep within me, from the heart, where the HOLY SPIRIT has set up house. I trust these conviction far more then I'd ever trust my own!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
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