Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Luke 15:16-20

"And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, 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 my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
Luke 15:16-20


This is part of the story of the prodigal son.  I like it because it shows repentance so well.  When we look at sin, at first it can feel thrilling or exciting... like the prodigal son asking for his inheritance up front, and going and living it up for a while.  But, just like the Prodigal son ran out of money, sin always disappoints in the end.  And we eventually "come to ourselves" and realize how badly we've screwed up.  And if we turn back to God at that point, and admit our faults, and are humble, willing to be servants and doorkeepers (Psalms 84:10), then God will accept us, and welcome us back with open arms.
This isn't, of course, to say that we should go out and sin on purpose, knowing that God will take us back.  It's a lot bigger challenge to become who we can be when we play with our own souls like that, and it sets us at a disadvantage to convincing ourselves to really change and become new people.
Today, let's remember that no matter who we have been, if we are willing to change and come to God, he will accept us.  And when we're back on God's path, let's work on changing our hearts and becoming the people that we need to be to be worthy of eternal life.

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