The Many Lessons Learned from The Prodigal Son

When it comes to “The Prodigal Son” story that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told in the Book of Luke chapter 15: 11-32, many preachers and believers lock onto the primary tenements of the story. The humility of the son coming back to the father, the forgiveness that the father exemplified by accepting and embracing the son and the joy that humility and forgiveness provides when combined and integrated in the human experience. 

Self Righteousness

Yet, what was revealed to me today was the self-righteousness that the older son reflected. We all have suffered from this self-righteous desire to shame and scorn those that have gone astray. Or at least we have all looked at the Father of lights with confusion & pride when questioning why some people are more blessed than others. This self-righteousness pervades the Christian religion and is running rampant within our hearts. Is it hiding within your heart?

The LGBTQ Community

What would you say and feel if you found out that all the people from the LGBTQ community had a way to heaven through repentance and the free gift of Grace that comes from Christ Jesus? What would you feel if you witnessed the homosexuals you secretly judged on earth sharing the same meal with you in the feast of the Kingdom of God? The father in the story told the eldest “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” Shouldn’t that be enough for you as a believing Christian? Revelation 16:7 says “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, the Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” 

Love & Mercy

The Lord leads with Love and Mercy, and we must do the same as Children of the Most High God. There is so much to glean from the Story of the Prodigal Son. But today, let’s check our hearts for self-righteousness and pride toward others, for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:23-24). In my opinion, we are all just as lost as the homosexual when we sin against the All Faithful, All-Knowing God, we are just aware and fearful enough to apologize, confess, acknowledge, and ask for forgiveness of our sins.