If you could have saved yourself you would have…
In His Bible, when you write down all the places God speaks directly to obedient man, when He writes about the man who humbles himself before God, you hear the message to man God wants us all to hear:
Yahweh made the earth and the heavens (all things)
He also made all things for our use
God made the first Man and gave him a Helper
And Yahweh wants nothing but our good
The story of the prodigal son in Scripture is a great example of such a story, but so many have misunderstood God’s meaning in the account of this foolish young man. The Prodigal Son account is not about someone lost and then found; It’s a story about you and me, Believer, who have run away from what God has called us to; The Prodigal Son tale is NOT about Salvation but of God’s people and their responsibility, and how much Love God has.
Let me explain…
The Prodigal Son’s responsibility was to his father and his family; to take care of his Dad in his old age. To always obey him, work under his leadership, and to eventually become the leader himself. He was the younger son, but he would have been one of the leaders of the family with his older brother. But he, instead, ran away and took license in what he chose. He wanted his own way, on his own terms.
Did he cease to be His Father’s son? No.
Did his responsibilities disappear? No.
Did God explain anywhere in the accounting of this young man’s rebellion what his tasks were afterwords? Only that he had been “restored”. We must assume the full meaning of that then. He was still the younger; Nothing had changed there. He HAD squandered his inheritance, so he had no money now that he could call his own. That is all we can surmise. His position was no less, but he had nothing left but what His father would now allow him. Yet this far wiser man, now, had it FAR, FAR better than what he had left in that “far off country.” Think about that for a minute. He had it far better than the mess he had left, but he had less than what he had before. And I think that is an important point.
Consider what he WOULD have had if he had not left.
What would YOU have had if you had obeyed the first time, when you KNEW you should? What can you have now if you merely resist the temptation you are faced with? If the Prodigal had listened to his father he would saved himself pain, embarrassment, regret, and the loss of what he HAD. Consider this. Weigh it carefully, so when you DO FACE your angry rebellion you will not do so unwisely: You might even learn BEFORE you have to feel that pain.
Wisdom is getting understanding…
The Prodigal Son story is about not Believing your life is enough, after you are one of God’s children. See, Jesus will let you run off and use your license, if you choose. Every believer should be about his Father’s work and will for you. but, when we are not, when a Christian runs off to do his own thing, he chooses to live his own life the way he wants to, in rebellion, and to not listen to the leading of the Spirit of God in him. To Listen to the words God has written down for him to follow, as well, is to then, like any good dad would do for his sons, well, he lets you do what you think is best, Good or Bad, and, Oh!, you will suffer under your choice; How you respond will determine how much of that suffering is your own doing.
I came to Jesus very young in life (around 16), much to the chagrin of my Godless parents. I’d had a faithful, and brave, neighbor. and her fearlessness paid off. Did I become a model example of a good Christian? No, sorry. I was led down many wrong paths and had to learn to, “hear my father’s voice”, as an older brother in Christ explained years later. You learn by what you suffer: That has MANY meanings, all true. but, like Paul, I have to say, what I have given up is beyond worthless for my gains.
The Prodigal Son telling is one of returning to what you should be doing, what you KNOW you should be about; And how God loves us, YOU, so much He takes us back, and restores us (even after eating pig slop). The Prodigal Son account is not about Salvation, though, others in Scripture explain that well enough. If you make this mistake you will misinterpret many, many other things.
So, see if you can tell which Scriptures below are to Believers and which ones are to the Lost (or both):
When you stand before the presence of Yahweh you should be silent, for the day of Yahweh is near- Zeph 1:7
“Be Strong, for IAM with you”, says Yahweh – Hag 1:4
“IAM with you”, says Yahweh – Hag 1:13
Yahweh Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. – Psalm 46:11
…everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved. – Acts 2:21
Not so easy is it?
Tell them, those who would be right with God again, those who were His and fell away in sin, “Thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘Return to me,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will return to you.‘. – Zech 1:3
Hear what Yahweh says to Satan for you, you who are Yahweh’s, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, Yahweh, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” – Zech 3:2
The LORD said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Judges 6:23
Sp, let’s please quell this notion that you have to act right, live right, dress right, and talk right, to be GOOD ENOUGH, to be saved. No, your salvation is God’s doing, you just receive it: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts (Zech 4:6).
What you do AFTER trusting in Jesus is what determines your life, and will decide what you do for eternity as well. by all indications in Scripture. So, yes, THIS LIFE IS A TEST; How are you ding? Salvation is God’s Gift to all mankind, if they will but receive it; HIS Life, thereafter, is yours to live, well or not. Remember, He has bought you with the HIGHEST Price; He will not allow that payment to be squandered. Don’t MAKE HIM break you. Submit for your own good…
I’d also like to say, that I’d much rather be disciplined by God, for HE LOVES ME; The Cross proved that completely. I’m just saddened by how often has to… I am so glad there will be NO regrets…
…in Heaven.
https://youtu.be/zb5fEK99BIk
Patrick, preaching-to-himself-again-while-he-hopes-you-hear-too, Burwell
OnlyJesusSaves.org Ministries
Remember, please, I’m just another blind beggar telling you, another blind beggar where I found the food…
If I or anyone associated with our ministry can help you sort out what ails you reach out…
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