In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. When the prodigal son packed up his belongings and left his father’s house, he undoubtedly thought that he would be free from rules and obligations. Likewise today, people say they want to be allowed to do as they please. Issues such as homosexual marriage, living together outside of wedlock, and the popularity of foul language are examples of topics where people don’t want to be constrained by propriety or morals. People think they can be free by throwing off the supposed shackles of outdated standards. These standards, however, were based off of Biblical values. God, our father, has given us these standards for our happiness and wellbeing.
Consider the prodigal son who wasted all he had on riotous living. After everything he had was gone, a famine came over the land where he was living. He soon found that he no longer had what he needed to survive. He was no longer subject to his father, but now he was subject to the whims of nature. Furthermore, because of his poor choices, he had lost financial freedom. Losing his financial freedom caused him to become the servant of another man. He no longer had to work in his father’s house, but now he was forced to work with unclean swine. Verse 16 states that “no man gave unto him.” Instead of being happy and care free, he became completely dependent on those around him—and they failed him. He had quickly lost the illusion of freedom to do as he pleased.
In the end, the prodigal son realized that all those supposed restrictions of his father’s house were actually enabling a sense of freedom. The father told the elder son that everything of the father’s was also his. It is reasonable to assume that the same was also true for the prodigal son. However, the prodigal son did not recognize the love and bounty of his father’s house to be a blessing. Instead, he rebelled seeking pleasure and thinking he knew both a better and more enjoyable way.
A life of sin, unencumbered by morals and rules, can appear to be desirable. It might appear that by rejecting God’s instruction, and the duties of abiding in his care, we can achieve a life that is free of apprehension and responsibility. However, we will find that when we choose a life of sin and rebellion, the world will require more and more of our attention. As the world requires more of our attention we will be choked under increasing care and anxiety. Furthermore, the immediate consequences of sin are often harsh. The lazy will find themselves hungry (Pr 12:27; 19:24; 21: 25; II Th 3:10), the drunkard will find himself in pain (Pr 23:29-35), and immorality can lead to illness (Ro 1:27). In the end, the eternal consequence of sin is separation from God. However, he wants us to abide in his presence and have life (Ro 6:23). It is the life of righteousness in our heavenly father’s house that is truly liberating. While living in the father’s house we will be free from the burden of guilt. We can ignore the cares of this world knowing our father both provides for and protects us. If we choose to live with him we can have all the blessings of his house (Ga 5:22-23; Ti 3:7; I Pe 1:4).
Let us not be fooled by the false allure of sin. Sin will not give us freedom, but will entirely enslave us. We must choose to serve someone (Ma 6:24). Choosing sin will lead to death. Choosing to serve God will lead to life and happiness. As Christians, we do not look upon the supposed pleasures of the world around us with envy. We remember that the father’s house contains all that we need. He will care for us if we will abide with him.