I am a good example that sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.  
Today, in our liberal society, sin is referred to as an acceptable lifestyle. When speaking to groups battling illegal drug addiction and alcoholism, I mention what the Bible says of sin, including drunkenness.  
Most of the people in the group have very low self-images. They have come to a place in life where they don’t think they will ever have a quality life, or they are so full of guilt they are convinced they don’t deserve it. I usually end the talk by telling them I was there 39 years ago, and today I thank God for what He did in my life. What God did for me, He’ll do for anyone who is willing to surrender to His Will for their lives.  
I then close with a story I heard many years ago about “the old violin,” which I love repeating. It’s about an auction to raise money for a charitable cause. When the auctioneer thought the function was over and thanked the crowd for their participation and generosity, a man assisting with the auction interrupted and handed him an old, dusty-looking violin with tangled strings.  
The auctioneer was anxious to get it over with and hurriedly opened the bidding. The highest bid was $3, but before it was purchased for $3, a gray-haired man in the back of the room came forward, picked up the instrument, dusted it off, tightened the strings and played a melody
pure and sweet — as sweet as angels sing. When the music ceased, the auctioneer was in shock and started the bidding again. He held up the bow and with a quiet and low voice said, “What is the bid for the old violin? A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand, and who’ll make it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice, going, and gone.’  
The people cheered, but some of them said, “We do not quite understand. What changed its worth?” Then came the reply, “The touch of the Master’s hand.”         
The story goes on to say, “And many a man with his life out of tune, battered and scarred with sin, is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.”
The miracle happens when a person decides to repent, is forgiven and allows Jesus to come into their hearts. It’s at that time they realize the worth of their soul is priceless because of the touch of the Master’s Hand.
If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@com.net.