Luk 15:11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
Which son are you?
Luk 15:12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
Much like the younger son, I was born-again in my teen but wasn't interested in the Father and His kingdom, thinking that there was better world outside...
Luk 15:13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
It was kind of exciting in the beginning... worked in a corporate, made some money, bought a car, got a wife... as desire increases, soon enough left the job and started my own, business seem good, so bought a new house, trying to live a flashing life style and show off the world... "I can do it". But that didn't last too long.
Luk 15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
Yes... soon there was a famine in the land, the stock market clashed, projects cancelled, payment delayed and some even turned into bad debt. So business began to go under...
Luk 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
Business couldn't go on, no choice but to get a job... changed to a smaller car and sold the house finally...
Luk 15:16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Market was slow and sales were tough. But life goes on... so turned to quick money scam, multi-level, gambling, even worship idols hoping that things to turn around soon... but it didn't.
Luk 15:17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
One night, my dear sister said to me that she got a good friend who is so kind and helpful and he would like to help me with a new car and a new house. It so happened at that time my car was in major repair and I needed one quick. Also I was still renting a house...
Luk 15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I knew she meant Jesus cos where on earth you find such a person? So I asked what's the catch? And she replied... "Nothing but to believe in Him".
Luk 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
So I said to myself... I'll be the biggest fool if I don't accept. May be she meant to buy me the new car and the new house herself.
Luk 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
So I accepted and came home to my Father... for the new car and the new house. But Daddy said "I've waited more than twenty years for you to come home".
Luk 15:21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
I said "Daddy, I'm so sorry. Now I realised how much I missed You".
Luk 15:22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
And Daddy said "Welcome home and I missed you since the day you left...
Luk 15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
Now let us forget the sorrow and let's celebrate!".
Luk 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
I'm so glad that I've come home, to be alive again... and I realised how good my Daddy is and how stupid of me to leave Him... He gave me the new car in the same month and the new house is BIG, though it is still in construction but it is already mine.
Luk 15:25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
A long lost friend of my teenage years found out that I've come home to Daddy.
Luk 15:26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
He was happy for me at first but then...
Luk 15:27 "Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
He realised that I've come to a church that preaches the gospel of Grace, a church that believes only in the finished work of Christ and His resurrection. And worst... this church does not preach the law at all...
Luk 15:28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
He started to warn me of false teaching and that I've joined a wrong church...
Luk 15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
That I must join a traditional church that teaches repentance of sin and the work of the law...
Luk 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
and that Grace alone isn't enough, that Jesus alone can't save me. That "Jesus + nothing = everything" is not true...
Luk 15:31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
but my Daddy said... whatever is Mine is yours... "As He is so are you now in this world".
Luk 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
It is finished! (John 19:30) Jesus has done it all by the cross! Sins have been cleansed and no need of repentance anymore. The law's been fulfilled so now we live by His righteousness and not ours. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 Jn 5:12) Hear Him!
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