“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! 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 am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'” (NIV) Luke 15:17-19
There was a father with two sons – the younger of the two received his inheritance early and took off to find a new way of living. After the son went through all his money, a severe famine hit. With no money and no food, the boy became a servant. The son’s stubbornness led him to the depths of despair and the most basic physiological need – he needed to eat! But, hardship has a way of bringing one to his senses. . . finally he changed his mind. . . He knew that his father’s servants had food to spare! He decided to “go back to his father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men'” (Luke 15:18-19). His sorrow was not for what he had lost, but for what he had done: he had sinned. He was determined to acknowledge what he had done. After all, it had been his own decision.
What do you do when you know you are wrong? Are you quick to confess your sin? Or do you try to find ways to justify your actions?
Have you deliberately chosen to sever a relationship? Perhaps it’s not leaving home, but instead deliberately withholding your love from someone, or refusing to trust after being hurt.
Will you choose to first run to God and confess your sin? and then run to the one who needs to hear a sincere, heartfelt confession? Before any more time passes, make it right between you and God . . . and between you and the one who needs to have the relationship restored!
