Source: newsthemegh.com/By Ransford Gyampo
Luke 15:17-20 is an interesting story of a prodigal son who went to waste his portion of his father’s property and later went back to his father, who was already expecting the return of his son. The son was forgiven even before he could ask for it. What is interesting is that it was only when he came to his senses that he decided to go back to his father.
Two key lessons here. First, sometimes, the strategy of the devil to steal, kill and destroy, is to make us arrogant even in our weaknesses.
At this point, we do not entertain corrections or rebuke and we tend to crush anyone who attempts to bring us back on track. But brethren, given that he who is cutting a path wouldn’t know if his back is crooked; and knowing that the devil’s aim is to make nonsense the salvation of humanity through the atoning death of Christ, we must be humble in our weaknesses to accept corrections and to repent, when we we make mistakes or sin. Being arrogant in our weaknesses, is a high way to eternal damnation.
Secondly, when we get the opportunity to speak to rescue the perishing, we must also be humble enough to concede that, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts and make people conscious of themselves. It is the Holy Spirit who makes people come to their senses. It is not always about telling people about their wrongs. There was no one to tell the Prodigal Son about his wrongs and mistakes. He came to his senses at a time when there was no preacher man. Let us speak the truth and the word of God for people to come to repentance. But let us not force them in a manner that makes them even angry and arrogant in their weaknesses. After telling them about Christ and the plain truth, the wise thing to do, is for us to keep praying for them and showing them we don’t hate them. It is through our constant prayers for them that the Holy Spirit may either subtly convict them or use the negative effect of their own conduct to speak to them.
In summary, dearly beloved, we must not be arrogant in our weaknesses to the point of rejecting corrections and fighting rebukes. When we get the opportunity to speak against sin, we must rescue in wisdom. For sometimes, too much advice, counsel and rebukes rather aggravate and hardens the heart of sinners, worsens their plight by making them more arrogant in their weaknesses and pushing them farther away from God. We must rebuke in love, humility and in the knowledge that, we do not have the power to change any sinner. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts. Amen