Condition Is Not Everything

There are some fairly interesting television programs on the stations I watch most often.

Many have to do with artifacts of historical note.

One of the things these programs often focus on is value.

When it comes to the value of artifacts, their condition plays a key role.

Experts have even come up with standards for grading their condition.

The better the condition, the more the artifact is worth.

When it comes to determining the value of individuals, people tend to take a similar approach.

So much so that we generally allow our first impressions to determine how or even if we will associate with others.

In Luke 15, Jesus speaks of a man with two sons.

The younger son asks his father for his portion of the estate.

This son then leaves home and proceeds to squander his share of the wealth.

Once spent, a famine strikes the land and the son finds himself in need.

He then takes a job in the land feeding another man's pigs.

Soon, he comes to his senses and decides to return to his father and beg him for a job.

His only desire is to be accepted as a hire hand.

Luke 15:21 (NET) – Then his son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to to be called your son.”

His father reacted in a way that must have taken him by surprise.

He had his servants bring the best robe to clothe him.

He put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

The fattened calf was slaughtered and a celebration took place.

The son returned to his father, humbled himself before him and confessed the error of his ways and found his condition to be much improved.

While the conditions of artifacts cannot improve. God can dramatically improve the spiritual condition of anyone that genuinely comes to Him.

Jesus said so.

Luke 15:7 (NET) – I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine people who have no need to repent.

Humans tend to focus on present condition.

God sees the potential.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 7, 2014.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 14, 2014.