You hear it all the time. Someone attended Sunday school and youth groups as a young person. They gave their life to Christ, but as life went on, they strayed. They made choices that drew them farther and farther from that straight and narrow path. Now, their soul is yearning to return to Jesus, but they think their sins are too great; they’re certain that there’s no forgiveness for them. Let me assure you that you haven’t sinned beyond what Jesus will forgive.

It seems as if rebellion is a part of human nature. It’s not a beneficial part, but many young people do tend to stray as they get older. If the child was blessed with God-fearing parents, he or she was given a solid foundation and will eventually realize they’ve strayed and come back to their Christian beliefs.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

It’s not only young people who stray, but everyone is prone to sin. Life is better if there’s no rebellion, but God is loving and forgiving. He’s always willing to hear a prayer of repentance.

In this day and age, we have many distractions and temptations. This isn’t a new problem, but it seems as if the availability of temptation is greater today. The internet can lead anyone astray. Some videos found online are pure filth, and there’s also much false doctrine to be found there. Television and movies graphically depict sin and make it look pleasurable. Popular music today is full of vulgarity.

When I was young, the Beatles sang “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” but soon the Rolling Stones sang “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” One step at a time, the level of vulgarity was lowered until rappers sing (if you can call it singing) of killing and sexual degeneracy, and Katy Perry sang praises of sexual relations with aliens. Even professing Christians listen to this filth and are drawn away from the straight and narrow path. They should be reading their Bible.

Public schools and colleges teach everything except right and wrong. Well, they do teach wrong… evolution, choose your own gender, it’s ok to have two mommies or daddies, etc. Morality is laughed at in today’s society, and we see the results of filling our thoughts with glorifying sin as rioters and looters demand respect by destroying lives and businesses. That is nothing to respect. Remember, you have a choice in what you look at and listen to. God knows what choices a person will make, but that doesn’t mean He’s happy with our sinful rebellion.

When an adulterous woman was brought before Jesus for Him to condemn her because of her sin, He didn’t condemn her. Still, He didn’t just let her go on her way without confronting her sin. “…And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11b).

If you’re one of those Christians who has slipped down the slope deeper into sin, you may be questioning if you’ve sinned too much for salvation, or if you ever were saved. Those are questions that need an answer.

Christians sin. It would make things much easier if, when a person accepts Christ for salvation, all temptation and failures stopped. That’s just not how it works. In all actuality, life can get harder. Before accepting Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions, sin was just normal. You weren’t a threat to Satan because you were on his side. Friday night partying with friends could lead to all kinds of mischief. One sin always leads to another, and there’s always consequences. Before you know it, a baby is on the way, or you’ve contracted some deadly disease and wish you had practiced abstinence. This all fits into Satan’s plans. If you’re not a Christian, well it’s just a part of life in the fast lane. If you do profess to be a Christian, you need to put it behind you and get back to pleasing God.

If you paid attention to the Bible stories in Sunday school, you might remember a story about the prodigal son:

There was a father who had two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance so he could go off and live life his own way. “And 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. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want” (Luke 15:13-14). This young man had no money, no food, and no friends. He should have made a better choice and stayed in his father’s house, but now he had to do something drastic. He found a job feeding swine. That’s about as low as a Jewish man can sink. Even the swine’s food looked good to him. He was at the end of his rope and realized that he was better off at home.

“And 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! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:17-19).

Does that describe you? Did you stray from your Heavenly Father’s protection because you wanted to live life on your own terms? It’s time to come to your senses and return to the Father.

The prodigal learned the hard way that the rules he had been subject to in his loving father’s house were rules for his protection. That young man had to admit he sinned, then humble himself and return to his father. As it turned out, his father was overjoyed at his return.

“And 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” (Luke 15:20).

If you’ve strayed from God, you can be sure that He’s looking for your return. Whether you’ve hit rock bottom, or just strayed a little, God wants you to repent and come back to fellowship. The father in the story had a great celebration at his son’s return. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:24). It’s time to return to God.

We all have choices and make decisions. The decisions that are based upon Scripture always turn out right. Decisions based on lust or greed lead to sin, and sin always has consequences. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

If you’re paying a physical price for your own choice to sin, don’t blame God. For instance, yoking yourself in marriage with a non-believer can bring little happiness. You can’t blame God when your spouse decides to have an affair or makes it difficult for you to worship God. You may have to live with the consequences of your bad choices, but like the prodigal son, there’s always forgiveness waiting if you return to God.

When Christians fail in their walk with Jesus, it becomes a burden on their mind. They begin questioning whether or not they are saved and what will happen if they die. Either you accepted Christ for salvation or you didn’t. If you did and you’ve been living in opposition to God’s ways, you need to stop. Right now, you need to turn away from the sin that’s dragging you down and destroying your relationship with your loving Saviour. Stop living as the prodigal son, humble yourself, and ask forgiveness. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and has been calling for your return and has been seeking you.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

If you’ve strayed from your faith, then you need to get back into fellowship. Jesus wants you back in fellowship.

If you wonder if you ever were really saved, why spend time wondering? Make that confession of faith now. Then, turn from the sin that’s destroying your life. If you’ve never turned to Jesus for salvation, do it now. All you have to do is recognize you’re a sinner and that only Jesus Christ, God Almighty, loved you enough to shed His blood to take your sin away. You cannot change the past, so don’t be held back because you think your sin’s too great and cannot be forgiven. There’s no little sin; they all separate us from God. The only unforgivable sin is to reject Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide you away from the sin in your life, but you need to follow His prompting. The first step is to give your life to God.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Everyone has sinned, even the most pious elder in the strictest of congregations. Jesus knows every sin you will commit, but has forgiven them at the Cross. You need to humbly turn to Him for forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).

Admit that you’ve strayed, and confess your sin to Jesus. He already knows it, but by confessing it, you bring it to your own mind. Were you sincere in your confession? If so, He’s forgiven you. Now you need to forgive yourself. Don’t keep straying away, but live your life to honor Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos”— God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Most Christians have at least one favorite Psalm. When we face hardships or challenges, it’s usually Psalm 23 which we turn to. Psalm 42 speaks to our desire and longing for God, and Psalm 51 is a cry out to God for His forgiveness. It’s easy to skip around through the Psalms, but they will all strengthen us. Let’s take a look at Psalm 1 and see if we can find some wisdom there.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

Instead of listing things a man (or woman) can do to be happy, the psalmist tells us what not to do. We all need to walk in the ways of the Lord, and secular people can’t help us to walk according to Scripture. I learned at a young age who to go to in order to get the advice I wanted. If I didn’t want to walk the straight and narrow path, I would go to secular friends. On the other hand, I also knew who would give me advice that was based on Scripture. I’m sure you’re much the same. As I’ve aged and have drawn closer to my Lord, Scripture is my guide. I do have a dear friend I turn to if I need advice, and I’m confident she will give me honest help based on Scripture. It’s important to choose friends, spouses, and partnerships wisely. We will be much happier if we don’t follow in the footsteps of nonbelievers.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

If your friends don’t know Jesus, there’s a good chance they will mock Him and make you embarrassed to follow Him. Does that make you happy? It shouldn’t. You’ll be much happier fellowshipping with Christians. We all need advice once in a while, but if we go to someone who doesn’t base decisions upon God’s ways, we’ll get ungodly answers.

The Apostle Paul wrote many letters, including one to a pastor in Crete named Titus. Crete was a rather wild place, and the letter advised Titus on how to be a better pastor. Paul advises Titus to encourage the congregation to walk closer to the Lord.

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience” (Titus 2:1-2).

This is the kind of advice Christian men need to take to heart. What about Christian women?

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).

This isn’t advice you’ll get from secular friends, but this is solid Christian teaching. Next, Paul tells how to advise the young men. Should they sow their wild oats, or honor God?

“Young men, likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8).

People who don’t know God cannot give Godly advice, so to be happy one must “…walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.” How many of you gather around the water cooler at work and grumble about your boss? Is that where you’ll find godly advice?

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things: not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:9-10).

If you need advice, you’ll be much happier if you talk with a friend who follows Jesus rather than the world. A person who fears and honors God isn’t happy if he, or she, makes choices that aren’t Scriptural.

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2). 

Although the word “meditate” is used, this isn’t talking about eastern religions that encourage you to empty your mind and allow whatever demon happens to be passing to fill the void. This means to study God’s word and think about it day and night in order to understand it, apply it, and take delight in it. If you’re following worldly ways, you’ll never be truly happy. When you please God you find His peace.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

It may look as if worldly people are happy and think they have things pretty well figured out, but do they have God’s peace? Many celebrities have fame and fortune, but the reality is they’re not happy. Most take many drugs or drink to excess, always searching but never finding the happiness they think money can buy. They are walking in the counsel of the ungodly. It would be so much better to “delight in the law of the LORD.”

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).

Trees grow strong and tall and need water to thrive. A tree that’s near a river has an abundant supply of water and nutrients and will thrive. People can take shelter under its limbs and be cooled by the shade of its leaves. Christians have a source of Living Water that will never fail.

“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10). 

The more we drink from the Living Water, the more fruit we will bear for Him.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we stand in the way of sinners or sit on the seat of the scornful, we’ll never be like the tree planted by the rivers of water. We won’t bear the fruit of the Spirit.

“The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away” (Psalm 1:4).

Chaff is the part of the wheat that’s useless. Before wheat is able to be used for flour, the chaff has to be removed. John the Baptist used chaff as an example when he was asked if he was the Christ.

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable” (Luke 3:16-17).

The day is fast approaching when Jesus will call His followers Home. Those who do not know Him as Lord and Saviour will be left behind and eternally burned in the fires of damnation. It will be their own choice. Jesus doesn’t force anyone to choose to follow Him, but the consequences of rejecting His free gift of salvation is eternal damnation. Today is the day to make a decision to accept Christ’s gift. The offer is there for everyone, but each individual has to make his or her own choice. If you were baptized as a baby, that only shows your parents had good intentions to raise you in the admonition of the Lord. Baptism doesn’t impart salvation, so you must make your own confession of faith.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

If you have made the confession of faith and believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, follow Him. Don’t follow ungodly people down the path that leads to destruction.

“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm 1:5). 

Sinners cannot stand before God Almighty and enter Heaven based upon their own good works. We are all sinners. Judgment will come all too soon, and saint and sinner alike will bow before Jesus Christ.

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11).

As Christians we know that our righteousness is only through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Everyone has a choice whether to accept Him or reject Him. The sad truth is that many will choose to reject Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and will be as the chaff thrown into the unquenchable fire. Christians must stand strong in our faith and allow our example to influence those who haven’t found salvation. The lost people of this world need to come to us for answers rather than us going to them. We need to take our advice and guidance from God’s word.

“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6).

Jesus Christ is our example. He made it very clear that He is the only Way.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

That means that a guru cannot lead you to Heaven, nor Mohammed, Joseph Smith, or any New-Age lie. There is only one Way. Jesus is the Way. Do you know Him? If you’re concerned about where you’ll spend eternity, don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Their counsel will only lead you to choose to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. Turn to God for guidance; seek the counsel of a Christ-centered Christian. Our righteousness only comes from Jesus, and our joy is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Be careful where you seek advice. If it’s not godly advice, then it’s useless.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.