Biblically, a prodigal child is a wayward child consumed by a wasteful lifestyle contrary to God’s plan. Jesus told of such a child in Luke 15: 11-32. In summary one of two sons demanded a share of his inheritance from the father and squandered it with prostitutes. Thereafter, abased to eating the food of pigs, he appreciated his father so returned home in penitence where the father received him heartily. His other brother detested the hilarious welcome. What were the lessons from Jesus?
Had contrary ambitions from God’s
Personal ambition is good but it must not oppose God’s plan for us. We must always subject our plans to the supreme will of God through Christ Jesus who knows the future and the way to go. We must always find out God’ plan for our lives and wait for his directions and trust God to deliver on his promise and love. The prodigal son failed on these qualifications. Deuteronomy 1: 32-33 wrote, but in spite of this, you have no trust in the LORD your God, who goes before you on the way to seek out a place for you to camp, in fire by night, and in the cloud by day, to show you the route you should take.
Insisted on his personal ambitions
The prodigal son confronted the father based on what he saw of other lives which he thought attractive and appealing and upon what he knew the father was capable of giving him as an inheritance. In asking from God, we must not be confrontational. His father acceded to his request based on his approach of confrontation and that destroyed him. He was not equipped to manage the resources. Our requests to God must be prayerfully measured so we are not destroyed.
When we insist on our wants, God will allow our wants which will destroy us in the end. In 1 Samuel 8: 6-22 the people of Israel insisted to Samuel to give them a king to govern them just like the other nations and the LORD said to Samuel, they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them… you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day. We reject God with consequences when our ambitions run counter to God’s plan for us.
Separated from God
The prodigal son separated from the father upon receiving his inheritance and chose his own path of life. We sometimes separate from God after he has answered our prayers and our excuses have always been that we are busy without having time for the very God who answered our prayers. Any separation from God or distancing from God will sever God’s interest in us. Such separation from God will always compromise our protection or security or divine monitoring.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10: 12, so if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. Our way of life without God’s protection will always expose us below the dignity of man. The dignity we have is God’s image therefore our separation from God weakens that dignity or image to the elements of pigs, the downtrodden and the filthy. God does not leave us but we desert God. Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25 say, there is a way that seems right to a person, but the end is the way of death.
He sought for spiritual awakening
The prodigal son upon realizing his situation and circumstances repented in heart and mind so returned to his father. There is always the opportunity to repent in spirit and in truth which God will always accept without denial if it is made in truth. God always invites us back to himself for restoration. John 6: 37 says all that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. The prodigal son vacated his initial foolish pride when he realized that his father was greater than him.
He took a bold step back home and upon his return to his father, his father dined with him together with his entire household. Jesus said in Revelation 3: 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me. James 5: 20 says you should know that whoever brings a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. We have two obligations to discharge, first to personally return to Jesus, and second, to help others back home to Jesus so heaven may rejoice.
Heaven rejoices for our restoration
When the prodigal son returned to the father, the father and his entire household rejoiced. Jesus said in Luke 15: 4-6 which of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’… Read the lost coin: verses 8-10.
God’s restoration and redemption plan is universal to everyone and knows no bounds, prejudice or discrimination. God’s redemptive grace is for whoever is ready to accept it unconditionally. 1 John 1: 8-10 says if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him (God) a liar, and the word is not in us. God does not reckon our past.
We must avoid spiritual bitterness
The other brother of the prodigal son was bitter and complained to his father for the merry making of the return of the prodigal son. We must note that the father never promised the rest of his wealth to the other son. He however explained in Luke 15: 31, Son! … all that is mine is yours. It is heart-warming and fulfilling to know that when we stay with God all he has in heaven is ours also. With God, there is no jealousy, pettiness, bitterness or selfishness but joy, peace and love.
Jesus said in John 15: 7, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. Yes, the prodigal son forsook his loyalty and faithfulness to his father just as we all do to God but he repented. No person can handle all the riches of the father in heaven so there is no need for complaint but to keep our loyalty to God through Christ Jesus. Proverbs 3: 3 says, do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. How often do we seek God’s approval before we take a step?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, as prodigal children, we return to you in shame and repentance for your grace, mercy and unfailing love. Awaken us to the debts of sin in which we are. Open our hearts to accept your plans for our lives and heal our pride to rejoice in you. Eschew all bitterness from us and let your love lead us in your holy name, Amen!!
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