THE PRODIGAL SON. I’ve heard many sermons on the prodigal son, and even now people screaming, “Prodigals! Come home!” Time is short and the window is closing. “And when the prodigal son came to himself”- When he had that moment of godly sorrow that he had wasted everything his Father had given him, had tasted exceedingly of his sin and had a revelation of his filth and wretchedness; he humbly returned to his Father. And the Father saw him coming home and ran to him. (Some say this is a story of Israel and gentiles, but let’s pretend it’s about an individual for my sake).
The prodigal’s repentant heart speaks, “I am not worthy to be even called your servant”, but the Father receives him as a son. A beautiful story of repentance and reconciliation. Our Father is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and great in mercy, ready to forgive and cleanse all unrighteousness! Praise Him for this unspeakable kindness! However, what is not a prodigal is one who continually comes into the house of God, makes a show of repentance, and heads back out into their sin, over and over and over. This is not a prodigal. This is a hypocrite, “but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he (indicating His righteous servant) shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”” Hebrews 10:38
A quote from Habakkuk, implying that to live by faith in God is to live faithful to God. Trustful clinging to God is inseparably connected with faithful constancy to God. A prodigal comes home and stays home; he doesn’t continually go back into his sin, season after season, abusing His Father’s grace and trampling on the precious blood of the Lamb.
If such a case should occur, no matter what might have been the former condition, and no matter what love or zeal might have been evinced, yet such an apostasy would expose the individual to the certain wrath of God. His former love could not save him, any more than the former obedience of the angels saved them from the horrors of eternal chains and darkness. Choose this day whom you will serve for a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. If Jesus is Lord, then serve Him. If you want the world, then serve the world and your flesh, but quit abusing the Lamb and the church of the living God. He is waiting to receive the truly repentant ones with open arms. His mercies are new every day, great is His faithfulness! He’s a good, good Father. #runyourrace
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