The only one who thinks the pigsty is home is the pig. That thought occurred to me in Pastor Klatt's Bible class a few weeks ago. We were discussing freedom. I got to thinking about being free to do, say, act, dress, etc. as we like. I don't think we can handle freedom without limits or restraints.
As a kid, I told my mother once that I'd really like to work in a candy store so that I could eat all the candy I wanted. She said, "Forget it!! You'd make yourself sick! As usual my Mom was to the point and right on.
As a society we love this "freedom thing". We talk about it, sing about it, and lots die for it. But freedom, unrestrained, deteriorates into license to do whatever. If there is no curbing effect from the law, sense of responsibility, honor, duty, or simple regard for others, freedom devolves into chaos and we make ourselves sick. We end up in. a pigsty of speech, conduct, way of living, etc.
The prodigal in the Bible is a great example. H e wanted freedom so badly he could taste it. He got his father to fork over the inheritance ahead of time, said, "see you later", and was gone… FREE!! WOW!! His own apartment… parties… girls… IT WAS A BLAST!! But he got sick, and ENDED UP IN THE PIGSTY… but, PRAISE GOD, he sensed he didn't belong there.
Jesus said, "You shall KNOW THE TRUTH, AND IT SHALL SET YOU FREE". The TRUTH is God didn't make us for the pigsty… The TRUTH is we can only enjoy His blessings IN HIS COMPANY, HIS HOUSE… The TRUTH is that THROUGH CHRIST'S DEATH AND RISING FROM IT HE WELCOMES US HOME AGAIN. The TRUTH IS ONLY THE PIG THINKS THE PIGSTY IS HOME.