If you are a Bible reader you must be familiar with the prodigal son's story and his pigpen stint. If you are not, you might as well Google it and read. It's a fascinating and encouraging story. It was narrated by Jesus himself. It gives us an interesting peek into the heart of the Father God. The son took all his possessions and went to a far country. And then he did what we all are capable of. He blew it all. And he wasn't lucky at all. Circumstances lined up such that he took up a job in a pig pen and had to start eating pig pedigree. I don't really know whether they sell pedigree for pigs or not 🙂 However, the rest of the story takes a good turn. I will leave it for you to discover.
But here we will consider one fact often overlooked in the story and dwell on an important spiritual lesson from it. The central lesson that emerges from the prodigal son and the father that the Father God accepts sinners as His sons. That too unconditionally. He accepts anyone who comes to him with faith, that too with complete privileges. It is never taken back from him. Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation freely to everyone who approaches him by faith. It is an act of His love and grace. It's a gift. It is not dependent on that person's future or past actions.
The above theological assertion raises some serious objections by many. Some people ask, "In that case prodigal will be tempted to go away again and again. Shouldn't a wise and good Father make this provision more strict so that son may be afraid to indulge?" However, God has chosen to gloriously display His grace and love to the prodigals of this world so that even in their worst moments they may have the confidence that the Father's arms would be widely open for the returning sinner when he decides to come back to His house.
However, now I come to a question which is the main point of the present text. I would like to address the potential prodigal son in all of us who may be prone to go astray in the path of forbidden attractions. Let us notice from the story that eventually the lifestyle in the far country cost him all his inheritance. Living and eating out of pigpen is not a pleasant deal. You don't get cozy beds and health diets there. You could fall sick and infected. It is dangerous to live there. In the backsliding state, not living in fellowship with God opens a believer to many dangers.
One time I was in such a place in a very serious way. Without referring to the specifics because of concerns of privacy, let me tell you I heard the voice of God warning me of the dangers. But my attractions intoxicated me too much. I did not see the obvious shadows of darkness. But not very long after, those shadows became intense. I was surrounded. I felt deadly suffocation. It was a modern pigpen. Thankfully, the prodigal son story does not have to end there. The road back to Father's house is always open. It is safe to return. But it is safer not to venture towards the far country and the pigpen. Rather it is very dangerous. It's not cozy in the pigpen. Father's arms of fellowship are very attractive, much more than the pigpen of worldly lust.
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