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America Is Living Like the Prodigal Son

The strong correlation between sexual immorality and overspending is beyond dispute. A perfect example in the Bible is the prodigal son in Luke 15. A perfect example in the world today is the United States.

Which came first...the chicken or the egg? Likewise, sensual indulgence is intricately interwoven with voracious spending habits. The prodigal son had it good at home. But he wanted more, and he wanted it immediately. His lust for money was fueled by his lust for sensual pleasure, and "vice" versa.

He took his inheritance which was intended to provide for future needs. He wasted it on wild living in the moment. He was clueless to what was happening while he was in the midst of his sensual storm. In America today, the promotion and practice of sex outside of marriage is doing more to increase the national debt than any other single factor. Blindness in one area produces blindness in the other. Just ask the prodigal son.

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God made sex. God gave man and woman sexual desires. Sex within marriage between a man and a woman is a good thing. Outside of God's plan, there is chaos. When man feeds his sexual temptations, he creates financial confusion in his mind.....and this leads to economic disaster, among other things. Likewise, when man feeds his love for money, this often leads to sexual promiscuity. The two are somehow joined together in unholy matrimony. Remember....holy matrimony involves one man and one woman. Anything else is a counterfeit.

The prodigal son was feeding the desires of his flesh. Unfortunately, that mutant is a bottomless pit. It will bleed you dry and leave you with nada. America is bleeding badly today. Sexual immorality is rampant, as is overspending. This lack of self-control eventually catches up with the body, the soul, and the economic survival of the nation. The only way to fix both problems is to recognize where you went astray from God's plan. Without that recognition and a sincere turning to God in repentance, there is no way to avoid complete destruction.

In time, the prodigal son "came to his senses." (Luke 15:17) He remembered how good he had it back at home. He decided to humble himself before his father. It worked. His father was a loving man. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) What incredible mercy this wayward son was shown! In the same way, God's love is available for all those who come to their senses and decide to return home.

The Gospel is a message of forgiveness for those who have strayed from God. The death of Christ on the cross provides the way home to redemption and righteous living. The resurrection of Christ provides the assurance of eternal life for those who have come home to God through faith in Jesus. The story of the prodigal son ends with much jubilation. The story of America is still being written.

America began as a nation of people who honored the Lord and His Word. Sex outside of marriage was clearly seen as an abomination to God. As the people of our nation honored God, the Lord blessed this people with spiritual health and financial prosperity. That was then....and this is now. The sexual revolution has produced financial desolation. The nation is adrift and a long way from home. While some in our land call for people to return to the Lord in this one nation under God, others call just as intently for people to continue pursuing sexual immorality and massive spending. They don't necessarily use those words to describe it, but it's not hard to interpret their goal and their vision for our one nation under the united nations.

You and I are a part of this country. We cannot force people to "come home," but we can choose to do it ourselves. We can also lovingly invite others to do it. Who knows....God may have yet another revival up His sleeve for this wandering son known as America. Without the Lord's divine intervention and the repentance of His people, America will continue to bury herself in debt and in sexual destruction. The prodigal son turned around before it was too late. Let us fervently pray that professing Christians in America make the same decision.

The Lord gave this promise many centuries ago: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The solution is not complicated...but that doesn't mean it will be easy. Resisting lust and greed never has been man's strong suit. But it's a heck of a lot harder to resist when you have run away from home with pockets full of cash and a heart full of sensuality. Meanwhile, there is a loving Father at home who is watching, waiting, and longing for the safe return of His chosen one.

READ: WHAT IS TRUE REVIVAL?

Dan Delzell is the pastor of Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion, Neb. He is a regular contributor to The Christian Post.

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