09/03/2022 - THE DECISION THAT COUNTS

• 
• 
• 
• 

 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. Luke 15:19

When he realized his mistake, which brought him many needs and sorrows, the prodigal son decided to get up and go to his father. No one will succeed if the shame of confessing their sin prevents them from making amends with those who were harmed by their actions (Matthew 5:23-26). Those who don’t open their hearts commit iniquity again, because they have seen how bad they were to that person, and now they are worse with themselves (Proverbs 28:13,14). Confess and live!

The act of getting up is difficult. See, I don’t mean getting up physically, I mean getting up spiritually. If you are in the devil’s clutches, he will make you believe that the person hurt by you deserved such treatment. Whoever thinks like this does not consider God’s Word as the only authority on Earth, nor do they believe in its power. Poor life! They will suffer for not wanting to obey the divine touch.

When you get up, never allow the devil to come back and convince you that your sin must stay hidden. The offended one will hate you if you don’t get right with him while you’re on the way, as Jesus said: When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison (Luke 12:58). Do it!

It is not easy for the one who is in the flesh to forsake the devil, because in a way, Satan makes him enjoy sin, making him happy with all kinds of moral filth. Those who love God absolutely refuse to “lend” their minds to the enemy. The number of saved people who are about to lose their salvation is significant. But by letting evil enter your inner self, you will have problems when Jesus returns, because only the saints will go up with Him (Matthew 22:11-14)!

The land was far away and the walk would be hard, heavy. It is likely that great difficulties arose during the preparation to meet the father, so the enemy did not want it to happen. Likewise, when we decide to get right with the Lord or obey some command given by Him, we don’t have to think about the difficulty of going and talking about our mistake; only the one who confesses is forgiven (1 John 1:9).

Before you pray, focus on what you need to talk to the Lord about. With that, no amount of emotion will change your intention to get right with Him once and for all. God is merciful, but He does not tolerate those who fail to keep His promises: When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—Better not to vow than to vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:4,5). You will draw near to the One who truly loves you and wants you to be well!

The prodigal young man sinned against Heaven, the Kingdom of God, in the presence of the Lord and set out to return home by telling everything. It is not good to hide anything from our Father, because He is Omniscient. God wants to forgive us, and He will if we are sincere before Him. So take advantage now and get right with Him forever!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares