Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

COME TO SENSES

January 6, 2011

In the famous story of the Prodigal Son, the son wakes up hungry in a pigsty.  It says, "when he came to his senses." That theme repeats itself several times in the Bible.

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
                                                     - 2 Timothy 2:25,26 TNIV

"Gently instructed." Paul urges a gracious, gentle, and peaceful demeanor as we interact with the world around us bearing witness to faith in Christ. Too often we are impatient, harsh. But coming to one's senses, Paul teaches, is a gracious and generous act.

A gruff thrashing or hell-fire, seems to be grossly inconsistent with what Paul directs. Yet the outcome is that...we all might "come to our senses."

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson