Independence That Leads to Sin

The prodigal son is the one parable I most identified with when I returned to the Father’s house on March 3rd, 2001. I grew up during a time when there was little talk of God’s grace and mercy from any place inside organized religion. The biggest thing I remember is the 10 commandments where preached hot and heavy and if you choose not to obey, well, you would pay the price.

At one point during my senior year in high school, I made a conscience decision to walk away from the Lord. It seemed everything in my life was falling apart, so instead of running into our Father, I ran away. I would spend the next 28 years doing a bang up job of messing up my life.

I was at another critical point in my journey when the Lord drew me back to Him. I had gotten myself into a real mess and had no place to turn. I felt I was unworthy of His love and that nothing could change my path in life. I believed I was doomed. In that moment, on I-95 outside Goldsboro North Carolina, my life would change forever. I heard His still small voice tell me all was forgiven, that He loved me and wanted me to come home. On that day the water broke on the birth of this baby Christian.

The troubles of this world still press in on me at times. The big difference is instead of running away from the Father, I run into his waiting arms. Jesus told us this, John 16:32-33 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Nothing is to big for our Poppa, He’s waiting for you with open arms, run to Him and lay the troubles of this world at His feet.

Blessings

Independence That Leads to Sin
by Os Hillman

“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.” Luke 15:20

The two young men had worked for many years in their family business. One day one of the sons decided he wanted to venture out on his own. He had been under the employment of his dad’s business long enough. He felt he had learned all he needed to know. He wanted his independence. He wanted to take his stock options early, which would allow enough capital to begin on his own. The other son remained behind, working day in and day out, faithfully doing his job.

The first son went out on his own only to find it was more difficult than he had ever imagined. The immediate cash gained from the advance from his dad’s business was a temptation that was too great for him. He spent all of the money, fell into sin, and failed to invest it in another business. He failed miserably. Finally, he came crawling back to his dad, seeking to be taken back as a mere laborer. The father took him back with open arms, fully restoring him to his original place. He experienced grace and love in a way he had never known before.

When we desire independence so much that we launch out without God’s full blessing, we can expect to fall on our face. When pride enters our lives, it discourages us from dependence on anyone but ourselves; yet God says that we are to depend on Him alone. If we think we can go it alone, we will fail. On the other hand, in spite of the prodigal son’s failure, he learned a great lesson of grace that he had not known before. This resulted in humility of the heart, which had a lasting impression for the rest of his life. Therefore, God even turns our failures into successes spiritually when we are willing to admit our failure.

Pride always goes before a fall. Check your heart today and ask God if there is any pride that is encouraging independence from total trust in God.