Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke

Sin is a destructive force, gathering strength like a storm, then bursting forth its fury on the hearts and lives of people.

It builds slowly, appearing not to be dangerous, far off in the distance. Certainly, it will not interfere with our plans today.

Life is good, health is good, money is plenteous, and friends are abundant.

For those who are familiar with the Bible perhaps this refrain will spur a memory of a story about a young man who tired of home, rules and family. Always work, no fun, but a burning desire to see what else there was available to experience and entertain. This young man is known to us as “the prodigal son” (Luke 15:11-22).

He sought his portion of his inheritance which was granted by his father and soon thereafter took his journey to find fun, parties and other people like him. He did. Brother, did he! The KJV Bible says he wasted his substance with “riotous” living. Other translations of the word “riotous” are wild, reckless and immoral.

All the translators describe his lifestyle as being wasteful and dangerous. Soon he realized his money was gone, as well as his friends. His life was a mess, his family gone, his finances destroyed, and a job as nasty as distasteful as any around.

Does this sound like your life? Have you wasted your opportunities, losing all the things that really matter, only to learn there was no way out?

My friend, there is a way out!

It is the same path this young man walked as he left the pen with the swine and headed home. It is the path of repentance, of returning to your Father and asking for help. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26). You see, there is a force out there stronger than you fighting for your soul. Satan desires to take you captive, like a slave, and bind you with chains. However, there is a God who loves you, who still breaks chains, who still delivers from sin. Through the power of Christ you no longer have to be a captive.

Confession, repentance and a return to the Father can lead to complete restoration. Come home, my friend. Come home.