PARABLES OF JESUS – The Dead Son
Luke 15:23-24
" ' "And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." ' "
This can be a difficult passage for those who believe in unconditional eternal security. Some would teach that the prodigal son did not lost his relationship with the father when he went into sin – only his fellowship. But the text belies that idea. In the parable, the father considered his son to be "dead" (see also verse 32) and needing to be made alive again. Ephesians Chapter 2 speaks of those who were "dead in their trespasses and sins," who walked "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (verses 1 and 2), but who were "made alive" (vs. 5). This certainly fits the rebellious son who left the father to live his own life in rebellion according to the way the world lives, but was made alive again when he returned to the father. When he came back to the father, he not only came back into fellowship; he was "born again." By faith I know I am eternally secure because I trust Christ completely for my salvation. But there is always the prerogative for me to walk away from the Father and live in sin. God would still love me and long for me to return, but I would be "dead" as long as I live for myself and Satan. The solution is simple: Don't walk away from the Father.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Anyone who leaves the Father to live in trespasses and sins is dead and needs to be born again.
Have an "alive" day. Love you.
Luke 15:23-24
" ' "And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." ' "
This can be a difficult passage for those who believe in unconditional eternal security. Some would teach that the prodigal son did not lost his relationship with the father when he went into sin – only his fellowship. But the text belies that idea. In the parable, the father considered his son to be "dead" (see also verse 32) and needing to be made alive again. Ephesians Chapter 2 speaks of those who were "dead in their trespasses and sins," who walked "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (verses 1 and 2), but who were "made alive" (vs. 5). This certainly fits the rebellious son who left the father to live his own life in rebellion according to the way the world lives, but was made alive again when he returned to the father. When he came back to the father, he not only came back into fellowship; he was "born again." By faith I know I am eternally secure because I trust Christ completely for my salvation. But there is always the prerogative for me to walk away from the Father and live in sin. God would still love me and long for me to return, but I would be "dead" as long as I live for myself and Satan. The solution is simple: Don't walk away from the Father.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Anyone who leaves the Father to live in trespasses and sins is dead and needs to be born again.
Have an "alive" day. Love you.
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