In the story of the prodigal son, the older son was jealous and angry when he saw his father bless his younger brother. He was so focused on "his good works" and "his brother's sins," that he was unable to enjoy the benefits of being a son. He slaved for years trying to be "good enough" to earn his Father's approval and blessing when he already had it all along.
Can you relate to how the elder son felt? Have you ever felt jealous when someone else got blessed, or angry because you felt God was blessing someone who was less deserving than you? I love how the Father corrects these negative feelings in his eldest son's heart. He doesn't reprimand him for his anger, jealousy, judgement, or self-righteousness. In response to his anger, His Father simply reminds him of who he is. He says, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. So you can be happy for your younger brother and come celebrate his return with us."
He was inviting His son to live in His love by realizing that everything He had was already his to enjoy simply because he was his son.
Galatians 4:4-7 says, "But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves of the law, so that he could adopt us as His very own children. And because you have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son in your hearts, and you can call God you dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child everything He has belongs to you. NLT
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that I am your beloved child and everything You have belongs to me. I no longer have to live as a slave trying to earn your approval and blessing. I can live in Your love and enjoy the benefits of simply being your child because of Jesus!
Great post Connie!
ReplyDeleteThe 'curse' of thinking one is good enough through their own merits is that self-righteousness becomes a hard taskmaster. Judging others harshly can be the mean sibling of being driven to perform. All in all, its an exhausting way to live. (speaking from experience)
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus paints such a mind-blowing picture of the Father's love in that parable—nearly incomprehensible. I agree with your prayer whole-heartedly.
"Dear Father, please open our eyes to your amazing love; help us to embrace all You are and all that You've done through Jesus. Thank You for Your immeasurable love".
Isn't is wonderful that God never reprimands us for bad behavior. He only reminds us of who we are! Because he knows that if we will really come to know deep in our hearts the truth of who we are, because of Jesus, we will never look to anyone but Him to meet and fulfill all of our needs. And we will never think that he would ever withhold anything from His children. Being secure in that causes our behavior to line up with His. Pride, anger, and jealousy will never even be a temptation. WOW!
ReplyDeleteWell said Connie and Christy! Security in knowing that I am His and He is mine has changed my life! He has changed my life, my way of thinking, my way of living! Praise God He loves us soooo much!
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer to love and be loved by real human beings than an imaginary being.
ReplyDeletenew follower here...I did your because of Jesus bible study last year with a group of woman and it was life changing!! I am actually blogging about it right now on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://healthykitchens--healthykids.blogspot.com