The different life lessons that we learn during our childhood and teenage years help determine our future. It is my belief that every parent want to somehow help ensure the future of their children, because there will come a time when your children will have to go away making a life of their own. Parents need to shelter their children; young people need to be sheltered from the immorality of our society, the danger of our environment, and the diseases of this world. But, when the time comes for them to go away or move on, will you be able to say, “They are going to make it in life.”
           

Although parents have been statistically proven to be the number one influential factor in the life of a child, it is my belief that there are many things and many people that help shape the life of a young man and a young woman. Though parents have a tremendous responsibility towards you, young people, the choice is yours. (Prov. 3: 1 – 4) The choice is yours because you can either put to good use the valuable lessons you’ve learned at home or you can just ignore them. I know that we are conflicted by peer pressures out there, we are surrounded by all types of temptations; I also know that it is our choice to rise up to the challenge. In order for us to resist those temptations, deal with peer pressures, rise up to the challenges that we face, and make the right choices in life, you ought to know that you cannot make it without God. To ensure your future in this life, to be guaranteed of a successful life, you need to have God in you life. I believe without God one cannot find his/her true purpose in life (ref. Rick Warren’s book “Purpose Driven Life”).
           

Now, the question I’d like to raise is, “What is life without God?” I know that are people in this world living it up; they have the fame, and they certainly have the money. They are basically what the world called successful people, but yet they don’t know God like we do. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 16: 26… Our success in God cannot be defined by the world’s standards, because our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. I may not be famous or have a lot of money, but I consider myself successful because I have God in life.

What is life without God?

In the Parable of the lost son (Luke 15: 11 – 32) God is portrayed as the father and both the prodigal son and the older brother are basically us. To come to a better understanding of the text, one should ask himself/herself, “Where do I fit in this story?”… The younger son who left chose to live his life without the father, thinking that he could make it on his own. You know that sometimes we tend to think that we are self-sufficient all by ourselves… Let us look at the text closely and allow it to shed some light on what life is without God.

I-                    Life without God is wasteful (v. 13 – 14)

-          Solomon says, “Life is vanity…” to find true meaning to life, one must fear God and keep his commandments. (Eccl 12: 13)

-          The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12: 13 – 21)… He wasted his time storing treasures in this world without having God in his life, but for us Christians we are not wasting our time when we undergo persecutions. It is not a waste of time when you come to Church instead of hanging out with your friends… It is not a waste of time when you sit down and study your bible, because in due season you shall reap what you sow…

II-                   Life without God is shameful (v. 15 – 16)

-          When we have God in our lives we need to walk around with our heads held high (Rom. 1: 16)

-          When you don’t have god in your life you will wind up in the pig pen…(metaphorically speaking). You can get yourself in a shameful situation that only God can get you out of…

-          Some of you must be thinking that it was really low, gross, disgusting, and very shameful for this young man to be eating with the pigs. Well, allow me to tell you that the pig pen is just what he needed. Sometimes we are so lost in our ways that we won’t realize it until the worse happen…

-          When 911 happened, America called it a “wake up call.” It was a wake up call for America to join together and call upon the name of the Lord for help, comfort, and guidance. Folks, let’s not wait around for another wake up call and live everyday for God.

III-                 Life without God is harmful (17 – 19)

-          When you don’t have God in your life, you are putting yourself into harm’s way. By no means, am I saying that Christians cannot be harmed (1 Timothy 3: 12)… the truth is not having God in you life make you more vulnerable to the devil’s schemes, for you not equipped with the necessary spiritual weapons to defend your soul (Ephesians 6 : 10 – 18)…

-          The young man alienated himself from the father where he was safe, secured, and well-provided for to put himself in a position where he was suffering of hunger... It hurts to see people out there choosing material things over God…life is harmful without god because your soul is in jeopardy.

***The story ends with the father welcoming the son back home with open arms
            - Life with God is forgiving

-          Life with God is full of love

-          Life with God is successful

Written by Donny Pierre