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| My Study |
The Parable of the Prodigal....Cell?
All cells have to pass certain "check points" before continuing on in the cell's life cycle. When a cell does not meet a certain requirement, instead of moving on to the next point, it undergoes Apoptosis which is the process of programmed cell death. Prodigal cells are programmed to die. Cells need contact with other cells in order to survive. Prodigal cells are loners. They stray away from cell interaction. Eventually, these cells cause cancer.
This lesson reminds me of you and me as Christians. We need contact with the Lord in order to continue on in our spiritual growth cycle. When we stray away from God, we are gradually poisoned by sin. Cancer grows in our hearts. We are programmed to die, but thankfully, sin's cancer will never kill Believers. The term "prodigal" describes a person who wastefully spends money extravagantly. The Bible tells the story of a prodigal son who, after demanding that his father give him his inheritance early, left home and squandered his money on reckless living. But, when a famine hit, he was forced to work in the mud among pigs to support himself. Humbled and regretful, he returned home in hopes that his father would at least allow him to be a servant for him. Instead of condemning his foolish son, the father joyfully welcomed him home, clothed him in the finest, and threw him a party.
The story of the Prodigal Son is a beautiful picture of how God receives us after we have a wandered away from Him. God has preeminently removed the cancer cells in the hearts of His followers. Even when we were temporarily disconnect form Him, getting caught up in our own selfish desires, He will always welcome us back into His arms like the merciful father in the parable.
Like human cells need interaction with each other, we need interaction with other believers as well as Christ to remain on the path God intends. A Christian community spiritually influences us, builds our faith, and keeps us accountable to God's calling for our lives. While God wants us to stay close with Believers, He also desires for us to reach out to the lost "cells". As long as the wandering people do not pull us down, we as strong Christians should gracefully pull them up to the merciful and loving arms of our Savior.
The story of the Prodigal Son is a beautiful picture of how God receives us after we have a wandered away from Him. God has preeminently removed the cancer cells in the hearts of His followers. Even when we were temporarily disconnect form Him, getting caught up in our own selfish desires, He will always welcome us back into His arms like the merciful father in the parable.
Like human cells need interaction with each other, we need interaction with other believers as well as Christ to remain on the path God intends. A Christian community spiritually influences us, builds our faith, and keeps us accountable to God's calling for our lives. While God wants us to stay close with Believers, He also desires for us to reach out to the lost "cells". As long as the wandering people do not pull us down, we as strong Christians should gracefully pull them up to the merciful and loving arms of our Savior.
{ "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him......'For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate." Luke 15: 20, 24 }
Are you currently a "prodigal cell" letting the cancer that God freed you from rule your life?
Do you have a strong community of Christian "cells" you interact with on a daily basis?
Are their "prodigal cells" in your life that, through God, you can reunite with their heavenly Father?
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