The story of the “prodigal” who simply wouldn’t stay,
Is probably the best known tale of folly to this day.
He wanted His inheritance “this instant, I can’t wait
To get the money in my hands until some future date”.
And so he grabbed the money and very soon he split,
With father and his brother. He didn’t care one bit.
We know the story’s ending, he came home stony broke.
We know that he’d repented and was a different bloke.
We see that his returning made father’s heart feel glad.
But what about his brother? It seemed to drive him mad.
There is an application to life in Bible days.
It shows that man’s “sin nature” would influence their ways.
Today there’s little difference. The people do the same.
We do not learn from history and love to play sin’s game.
But this has penetrated the members of the church.
And by this sort of action, God’s Kingdom they besmirch.
And there’s a subtle difference. Some “Christians” love to sin.
They hardly ever seem to spot the trouble they are in.
They think that grace will cover them and God will let them go.
But that is an illusion. God will not treat us so.
We cannot be a Christian and sin just as we please.
For every sin that we commit our Holy Father sees.
We cannot worship idols or live immoral lives.
We can’t commit adultery with other people’s wives.
The thieves and greedy people, the drunkard and the cheat.
Will stand before the Living God and face His judgement seat.
The God who makes men holy, will never tolerate,
His people to be sinful as was their former state.
His grace is all sufficient but cannot be abused.
It comes by our repentance; our God will not be used.
If we are unrepentant, forgiveness falls away.
The Lord is not a prostitute. No matter how you pray;
The bottom line is what you do. Your lifestyle is the thing,
That Jesus Christ will look at and therein lies the sting.
His blood is efficacious to cover any stain.
But after it has been applied, we only will retain,
Salvation by a change of life that’s plain for all to see.
You do not get a license for your profligacy.
Salvation is a process we follow every day.
Jesus is our Master. Obey Him all the way.
He loves to welcome sinners who willingly repent.
He’ll give them all the help they need. His Spirit will be sent
To lead them and to guide them right into heaven’s door.
But He has expectations. “Go, and sin no more”. (John 8:11)
Jim Strickland – written Friday, 10 June 2011
