The Way Back Home

He had been gone for some time, and he hadn’t left on the best of terms. His dad had given him his demanded inheritance, and the prodigal son made tracks for the far country. But every step he took led him farther from the help, guidance, and care of his brokenhearted father.

It could have been the lights of the city, or perhaps it was the appeal of “greener grass,” or it possibly was the influence of friends that drew him away from home. It certainly was the wandering of his own selfish heart that played a heavy role in his wicked choices. There is no doubt his desire was in the far country long before his feet had arrived.

His story stands as a remarkable testament to the depths of men’s sin and the power of God’s grace and is found in Luke 15. He hadn’t been gone long when he “wasted his substance in riotous living” (Luke 15:13). As long has he had money, he had friends, but now, with his inheritance spent, no friends could be found. A mighty famine arose and sent the young prodigal searching for survival. “He went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine” (Luke 15:15).

The young derelict probably never imagined that his sin would lead him this low, but it did! “He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him” (Luke 15:16). Now he was faced with the ugliness of himself, his own sinful choices, and the devastating consequences. He stood staring at a crossroads. He had to choose whether or not to return to his father, and if so, how? After coming to his senses he decided to come back home, and through his repentant footsteps we can determine the way back home to God.

The Way Back Home is…

The Way of Truth – Honesty is a must in turning to God! The prodigal is a picture of all mankind. We have turned from our Creator and selfishly claimed for ourselves what we think belongs to us. We have chosen sin with a passion and now must individually and collectively bear the results! Honesty demands we admit our sinfulness. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8). “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). If you presume to enter a “not guilty” plea now or at the judgment, you are lying to yourself. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8). The first words the prodigal planned to say to his father were “I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18). Truly, the first step home is admitting our sin before Almighty God. Have you honestly acknowledged the truth about your sin and your guilty distance from your Creator?

The Way Back Home is also…

The Way of Turning – Humility may not be easy, but it pleases God. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). This lowly road is the path that leads to the Father’s house. You must acknowledge your sin and your inability to produce God-satisfying righteousness. You must humbly repent of your sin. This is a change of mind which affects your intellect. “He came to himself” (Luke 15:17a). Turning from God is the height of insanity. Turning to God is the height of good sense! This change of mind impacts one’s emotions. The prodigal cried, “I perish with hunger” (Luke 15:17)! Quite possibly tears were streaming down his face, when he turned toward home. This change of mind influences the will. The wayward young man said, “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18a). The whole person is affected when repentance is offered to God. This turning is a path that is absolutely necessary for salvation. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Have you chosen to turn from your sin, unbelief, and self-righteousness to Christ?

Finally, the Way Back Home is…

The Way of Trusting – “Without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). This is a call to place your hope, your trust, your dependence, your faith in Jesus Christ alone! He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). God “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The simple fact that the prodigal “arose, and came to his father” (Luke 15:20), showed his faith. He trusted that his dad would receive him and at least make him as one of his “hired servants” (Luke 15:19).

Where did the plain truth, his penitent turning, and this path of trusting lead? Back Home to God! And his father was waiting! “When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). The heavenly Father is waiting for you, His creation, to come back home today. He says, “Now is the accepted him; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2).

You’ve been gone from home too long! Place your faith right now in Christ who died, was buried, and rose again for you. Cry out to Him for salvation. He is ready! He will gladly receive you! Come back home to God!

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Ordering Information

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Evangelist Dwight Smith
532 Forest Ridge Drive
Shelby, NC 28152