By Shane Kastler
One of the most well known stories that Jesus ever taught was of
the “Prodigal Son.” In this account; Jesus describes a spoiled
rotten son who seeks his share of his father's inheritance. Then,
once received, promptly goes out and blows every cent of it on a wild
lifestyle. Eventually finding himself broke and in a far away land;
he has to take a job slopping hogs just to get by. Being so hungry
and destitute he actually envied the pigs and longed to have the slop
he was feeding them for his own starving belly. It was at this
point, that the Bible says he had a realization.
The gospel of Luke records: “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.'” (Luke 15:17-19 NASB) Knowing that he was unworthy of sonship; he begs for the honor of being a servant. To simply be a “hired hand” for his father was better than the so-called freedom he experienced in the pig sty. By the grace of God, he “came to his senses.” The same thing must happen to you and I in a spiritual sense.
As natural born sinners, we actually live in a spiritual world of muck and mire. Our lives are marked and ruled by sin; and sadly, because of our depravity, we're content with it. All people are in dire need of a “come to your senses” moment. Eternal life and forgivenss is offered through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you turned from your sin in repentance and bowed the knee to Christ as Lord? Are you experienceing the daily blessings of knowing and loving Jesus? Or do you think you're free in the pig pen of sin? You're not free at all. You're a slave. A slave to Satan and a slave to sin.
My prayer would be that by God's grace you would “come to your senses!” When the prodigal son came home he found his father waiting and watching for him. Before he could even request to be a servant his father commanded the fattened calf to be cooked and the celebration to commence. His son, once as good as dead, had come to life and come home. Is Jesus calling you home today? In the past have you shunned him? Today are your desires different? Seek the Lord while he may be found. Leave the pig slop of sin behind; and by all means (and by God's grace): come to your senses!
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