DCLM Higher Everyday 5 December 2022 — Fake Freedom
DCLM Higher Everyday 5 December 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Fake Freedom
TOPIC: FAKE FREEDOM
TEXT: LUKE 15:11-22
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But 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.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
MEMORY VERSE: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (LUKE 15:18).
MESSAGE:
Herbert Agar said, “The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.” His statement refers to people who hear the truth but choose to reject it in defiance.
The parable in our text shows the younger son of a wealthy man who made a selfish demand in a hurry to get away from his home and father’s control. He lived the life of freedom he dreamt of but soon lost all.
In his suffering, he remembered that there was no place like home and father’s protection. He realized his mistake and took the right step. Some people never have the opportunity to make it back home as their fake freedom ends their lives miserably.
Friend, regardless of where your selfish path has led you to physically or spiritually, it is time to come back home to Jesus for true freedom. There is no true freedom away from Jesus and the loving Father. Trace your steps back to the Saviour and be assured of peace and a beautiful home in heaven.
QUOTE: No true freedom away from Jesus.
CHALLENGE: The Lord is ready to welcome all who return to Him.
PRAYER: Merciful Jesus, take me back and grant me true freedom.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
