Come back to the good life.
Prodigal. It’s a word that goes hand in hand with a pigpen. It may even describe a person whom you hold dear to your heart. It might even describe you.
With that said, this blogpost doesn’t focus on the prodigal son in the Bible who squandered all he had and ended up in a pigpen feeding swine. (Luke 15:11-32) Instead, this post is about sinners who consider themselves a lost cause. Prodigals who consider themselves unworthy to spend eternity in heaven.
Your prodigal could be your child, your spouse, a parent, a sibling or a friend. Your heart breaks for that loved one just as the heart of our heavenly Father does. He loves your prodigal even more than you do.
God desires a restored relationship with all wayward souls and, if necessary, will woo them everyday for the remainder of their lives. Some prodigals will turn back to Him immediately upon being convicted of a wrongdoing. Others may have to hit rock bottom several times before realizing Jesus is all they need. And then some will accept Him during their final moments here on earth.
You may think that a deathbed conversion is impossible, but let’s take a look at a Bible story that says otherwise. After Jesus had already been nailed to the cross, the religious rulers sneered at Him, and the Roman soldiers mocked Him. (Luke 23:35-37) Two verses later, even one of the two criminals crucified alongside our Lord blasphemed Him.
However, the other criminal known as the “good thief” rebuked the one who spoke disrespectfully. He told him that their crucifixion was a just reward for their evil deeds, but that Christ had done nothing wrong. Then turning to Jesus, the good thief said, “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42 NKJV)
Jesus’ response is full of mercy, grace and forgiveness. “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Notice the word “assuredly.” The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines assuredly as “without a doubt.” Other words with the same meaning are certainly, clearly, definitely, inarguably, indisputably, surely, truly, undeniably, undoubtedly, and unquestionably.
The thief who did not revile Jesus made an eleventh-hour confession by acknowledging his sins. And because he did so before his impending death, Christ assured him of eternity in heaven.
If you think your prodigal’s sins are too great for him or her to make it into heaven, think again. If you believe your own sins will hold you back from entering the pearly gates, think again. It’s never too late to turn over the remainder of your life to the Lord. You find that assurance in the good thief’s last-minute plea for mercy. However, following Jesus a long time before your last day here on earth provides you with more opportunities to be used by God to bring glory to His kingdom.
All you have to do is pray a simple prayer, asking God to forgive you of your sins, and then confess with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. It really is that simple. God wants a relationship with you, so why not start following Him today.
Have a blessed day!
“…. there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said… ‘my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:20-22, 24)
