I sat with a man yesterday who after giving his life to Jesus,
turned his back on Him for 43 years. Now in the hospital, very sick, he was
repenting and turning back to Him. Jesus never left him, but he had turned his
back on God. A choice he made many years ago returning, after another bad one
had led him away from God. A prodigal in the strongest sense, as we were all
lost, but only God gives us the choice of salvation. But as I listened to this
man, he had a problem forgiving himself, even thought the God of the universe
had. His name was written in the Book of Life, he just never cashed in on the
benefits of it during those years. Instead the choices he made led to
destruction, not immediately, but over the years it all added up. And now he as
repenting, turning back to Jesus...and one good choice would restore him, just
as one bad choice had almost destroyed him.
We all make bad choices from time to time. Ever had a bad blind
date? Ate a piece of bad fruit? Bought a Honda? Cheered for the Chargers?
Bad choices maybe, but not life threatening. It is been said we make over 8000
choices everyday, reading this is one. Considering that is another. Reading on
is another. See how easy they add up. Oops, another, And so it goes. But in
every life, everyone will at some time be faced with who Jesus is, and that
choice will have eternal consequences.
The word prodigal means useless, and in the parable of the
prodigal son, we all can relate to the son who took his inheritance, blew it on
good times, then had to repent. Noting that while still far away, his father
saw him, and ran to him. Something fathers didn’t do back then, especially to
sons who had abandoned them, especially running in a long robe. But yet we see
God running to us, excited to see us return to Him. Which is why He sent Jesus
to be the way. And we can only imagine how the father felt everyday not knowing
where his son was, wishing and hoping he would return home. While the other
son, stayed home. Worked the ranch, and seemingly honored his father by not
leaving like his brother did. But we see his true heart, at the end when he is
hateful to the repenting brother. It seems he is the useless one, and was all
the time, just waiting for his father to die to inherit. Failing to realize
like his father later told him, that his inheritance was there the whole time,
all he need to do was ask. It was available all the time, his choice to hate
made him bitter, and he never enjoyed the love of his father like his repentant
brother did. Both brothers made choices, bad choices, only one realized he had,
and turned back to his father. A parable showing us the love that God has for
us, no matter the situation, and as long as we are His sons and daughters, the
inheritance is there for the enjoying right now. Both made the choice of a
lifestyle, but one later choice was the choice of a lifetime. We have all
fallen short of the glory of God, and need to repent. Some are sorry, but never
repent, never turn to God, and stumble their entire life, becoming bitter like
the stay at home brother. Some others are truly sorry, truly repent, and go on
with God. Yet some think God can never forgive, and live a miserable life,
ending in a miserable death, ending in an eternity in hell they didn’t have to
have. Their choice, not God’s. He wants all to repent, that is why He is
patient. Why we see salvation in jails, hospitals, war zones, and even in
churches. Where we see robbers, thieves, hookers, bikers, junkies, and dealers
saved by Jesus Christ. Same with nerds, brainiacs, soccer moms, and those that
don’t ride. God is patient for all to come to repentance....so what is your
choice? Saying nothing is saying no! None are exempt from the gates of hell
except those that are saved in Christ. And it isn’t the gates that keep you
out-it is Jesus!
43 years is a lifetime. This man was ready to retire, for his
entire working life he did it on his own. Only in his retirement years did he
stop to consider God again, and the promises. We don’t know how long it took
for the son to return home, many years are implied, yet his father waited
patiently. While his brother became more selfish and bitter everyday. Sin at
both ends. So your choice is....Consider Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty. He
was the starting quarterback ahead of Terry Bradshaw who led the Steelers to 4
Super Bowl victories. But his decision to stay and hunt and fish, eventually
made him a millionaire, and a spokesman for God. His choice not only impacted
him and his family, but Terry’s life also. We don’t know how many will be
effected by our choices, so choose God and make the right choice. Two brothers,
two choices, one father. Two quarterbacks, two choices, one heavenly father.
One brother accepted forgiveness, the other resented it. For God so loved the
world He gave His only son...what are you willing to give in order to gain
eternity? Are you willing to ask God now to forgive you? Prodigal?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com