The heart that goes astray must have something that it is drawn to, and will, when it attempts to return, do so by its own volition. This is the beginnings of works, which can find no place in humility, but instead believes its feeble attempts at restoration to be of value.
We do not often turn back to Christ in humility when we have gone astray, we do not often submit ourselves to His mercy when we come to ourselves and desire to return to the right path, and we expect even less to be restored to the position that we had in Him before we went astray. We become as the prodigal son, (Luke 15:11-32) we hope at best to become the lowliest servant, and not the beloved son again. I have pondered often a verse in the Book of Proverbs, “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.” (7:21) She drove him, as one would drive cattle to the killing floor, she forced him, he was led astray, willingly, at least in part.
When we go astray, it is most generally by something or someone that entices us to leave what we already possess, that which once we found comfort in, but the comfort, the pleasure, the joy that we have experienced in it no longer satisfies. We are creatures of growth, but not all grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, few there are that truly find all they need and want in Him on a continuous level, we search for more, but instead of searching for more of Christ, we are led astray.
Never presume that leading is one that you are forced to obey, thus my mind returning to the verse in Proverbs, for if indeed we are creations with the ability of free will, then it is unheard of for us to be led against our own will in this way. Those who have experienced the bondage of prison life know full well that the only true freedom they have rests within their thoughts, that these remain unchained.
One of the modern words for “sorcery” in the Scriptures is pharmaceutical, and it is no wonder that it is one of the most powerful entities on the planet, for it has the capacity to altar the thoughts of men, very beneficial if one desires to lead another astray. We are entering into, and now already are, in an age of great deception on a worldwide scale, not only from our adversary, but soon a delusion from the Lord God Himself, (2 Thess. 2:11) keep in mind at all times, you must not forget this, every single human being that is enabling and assisting those who are in authority over us, those who are assisting in bringing about these wicked days, will one day forever know that they were led astray, that they willingly allowed themselves to be forced, and that there is no one to blame for their actions but themselves.
There are no happy people in hell, there will be no rejoicing or contentment in the Lake of Fire.
It is pride that leads a man to rebel, it is lust that draws us away, (James 1:14) it is lust that creates a want for more than we already possess, it is temptation that leads us astray. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
The lost do not have one clue to any of these words that I have been used to write this morning, but I fear that many born-again believers do not spend nearly enough time contemplating their own lives in this area, that when they succumb, when they are lead away, they do not wholly repent, we do not seek His mercy and forgiveness with a true heart to return, but instead, seek out a work of our own that will appease the Lord.
The prodigal son had absolutely nothing left, all was gone in riotous living, (Luke 15:13) he returned with nothing to offer. No work can save you; no work will bring you back to a right relationship with our Lord, no priest or pastor can atone for you, in humility we approach the throne of grace. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) Nothing in my hand I bring, only to thy cross I cling.
