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This is a thread concerning only those who are saved. So keep this in mind while reading my intellectual offering.
Someone indicated in their testimony today that they believed they were a lesser Christian due to their status as a prodigal son. In specific they said:
Link - good read.
I would like, however, to respond to the mindset of being lesser in the Kingdom for being the prodigal son.
Perhaps it is that we misunderstand the story of the prodigal son sometimes.
Not that prodigals are misunderstanding their roles as an illustration of the modern day prodigal son, but rather, that maybe something was overlooked about what the elder brother portion of the story is concerning.
First I'd like to point out our inheritance is eternal life, and that's across the board. It doesn't matter in the Kingdom of God whether your the elder son or the red-headed step child. We all gain eternal life through His Grace.
Also, all those who are brothers and sisters in Christ are sent to serve.. we all follow in Christs footsteps. So being a servant isn't a punishment, but a joy and it applies just as equally to the elder children as it does to prodigal children.
Beliefs then, of a saved child of God, prodigal or not, being lesser than someone who is not a prodigal is a bit misguided in my honest opinion. Let's examine scripture a second:
There are three stories all in a row in the same sitting in Luke 15:2-32 : the first of a lost sheep, then a lost coin, then a lost son. But the lead-up and finale is just as important as what is inbetween.
Jesus told these three parables in response to the Pharisees sitting around complaining about Jesus eating with sinners and so forth. He wanted everyone to understand firstly about Jesus's love for the lost of Israel, but further, he wanted to tell the Pharisees something about themselves.
After hearing the first two parables we come to the prodigal and see the rejoicing that took place over his return. But then you see, as the story draws to a close, the elder brother first in the field at a distance, who heard the celebration and came to see what was going on.
Then the elder brother got mad when he heard of the younger brothers return and subsequent celebration. The Father left the banquet being held for the younger son, and went to look for the elder. (Remind you of the lost sheep?) Then kindly, and patiently reminded the elder how loved he was, and that he still had his inheritance too, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours"
Why would he need reminded do you think, that his inheritance was safe?
Perhaps because he, even though he never left home, was just as lost and just as in need of being found - maybe more so, because he didn't even recognize his lost state and need of being found.
This story, is just as profound for those who never left "home", as for those who went a partying.. those who went partying might remind our older brothers of what they didn't do, but it should never make them think they arent lost too. They are close to home, but sometimes off in the field somewhere instead of in the banquet hall, because they aren't even recognising the fact of their state..
In the end, we were ALL lost sinners who were in need of salvation, and at no point can we sit on our laurels and say we are the perfect child or we were always here so we can't have gotten lost. It got those Pharisees no where.
We are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God and all in need of Christ and guidance whether we are the elder brother or the prodigal son at the banquet.
And the prodigal? He isn't lesser in God's economy. There is just far more humility of heart, perhaps.
Feel free to discuss.
Someone indicated in their testimony today that they believed they were a lesser Christian due to their status as a prodigal son. In specific they said:
But there is a cost [in returning to Christ after playing the prodigal son]. Once the party ended, it was revealed in my heart that everything now belongs to my beloved brother. I am a son of my Father, but a servant to my brother.
Link - good read.
I would like, however, to respond to the mindset of being lesser in the Kingdom for being the prodigal son.
Perhaps it is that we misunderstand the story of the prodigal son sometimes.
Not that prodigals are misunderstanding their roles as an illustration of the modern day prodigal son, but rather, that maybe something was overlooked about what the elder brother portion of the story is concerning.
First I'd like to point out our inheritance is eternal life, and that's across the board. It doesn't matter in the Kingdom of God whether your the elder son or the red-headed step child. We all gain eternal life through His Grace.
Also, all those who are brothers and sisters in Christ are sent to serve.. we all follow in Christs footsteps. So being a servant isn't a punishment, but a joy and it applies just as equally to the elder children as it does to prodigal children.
Beliefs then, of a saved child of God, prodigal or not, being lesser than someone who is not a prodigal is a bit misguided in my honest opinion. Let's examine scripture a second:
There are three stories all in a row in the same sitting in Luke 15:2-32 : the first of a lost sheep, then a lost coin, then a lost son. But the lead-up and finale is just as important as what is inbetween.
Jesus told these three parables in response to the Pharisees sitting around complaining about Jesus eating with sinners and so forth. He wanted everyone to understand firstly about Jesus's love for the lost of Israel, but further, he wanted to tell the Pharisees something about themselves.
After hearing the first two parables we come to the prodigal and see the rejoicing that took place over his return. But then you see, as the story draws to a close, the elder brother first in the field at a distance, who heard the celebration and came to see what was going on.
Then the elder brother got mad when he heard of the younger brothers return and subsequent celebration. The Father left the banquet being held for the younger son, and went to look for the elder. (Remind you of the lost sheep?) Then kindly, and patiently reminded the elder how loved he was, and that he still had his inheritance too, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours"
Why would he need reminded do you think, that his inheritance was safe?
Perhaps because he, even though he never left home, was just as lost and just as in need of being found - maybe more so, because he didn't even recognize his lost state and need of being found.
This story, is just as profound for those who never left "home", as for those who went a partying.. those who went partying might remind our older brothers of what they didn't do, but it should never make them think they arent lost too. They are close to home, but sometimes off in the field somewhere instead of in the banquet hall, because they aren't even recognising the fact of their state..
In the end, we were ALL lost sinners who were in need of salvation, and at no point can we sit on our laurels and say we are the perfect child or we were always here so we can't have gotten lost. It got those Pharisees no where.
We are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God and all in need of Christ and guidance whether we are the elder brother or the prodigal son at the banquet.
And the prodigal? He isn't lesser in God's economy. There is just far more humility of heart, perhaps.
Feel free to discuss.
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