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NASB | Luke 15:24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 15:24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.' So they began to celebrate. |
Bible Question: I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of six. Currenlty I am 23. About a year and a half ago I began backsliding and was living a very sinful life. I started drinking a little bit, and then I let alcohol almost consume my life. I started sleeping with a few different men and before I knew it, I realized what a stupid life I was living. I quickly repented of my sins and turned back towards Jesus, who was waiting for me all along. Was that "phase" (or whatever it was) normal? Why would a Christian do such things? I am so humbled by the awful life that I led for a year or so straight. But I have turned back to God and never want to do anything like that again. |
Bible Answer: Dear Kingfish, The significant thing is that you were drawn back by the Holy Spirit -- you didn't do it, He did! If you hadn't belonged to God, you'd have been at peace with your sin. The redeemed are not perfect, until they enter His presence, but they have a deep hunger for greater holiness. We all feel a strong draw by the flesh, but part of our justification is that we are free from the power of sin. In order for us to stay close to the Lord, we must exercise the spiritual disciplines. As one of my pastor friends is wont to say, "The Gospel is not the ABCs of the Christian lives... it is the A through Z of our lives!" When we fail, we are reminded that -- moment by moment -- we still need a Savior! So, be encouraged! And cling close to the Lord! O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. In Him, Doc |