The Prodigal’s Father :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 18, 2020 by RR7

The parable of the prodigal son holds many lessons. One is a lesson in choices. “And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living” (Luke 15:11-12). The younger son thought he had life pretty rough. He lived in his father’s house and under his father’s rules. Most of us don’t like rules. They restrict us and don’t allow us the freedom to be all our fallen human nature wants to be, which usually involves a prodigal lifestyle.

A “prodigal” is someone who lives in a reckless and extravagant way. The young son decided he wanted a taste of the prodigal life, so he told his father he wanted his inheritance right then. Now, the father had a choice. A hard choice. The rules were there to protect the ones he loved, just as God’s rules are there to protect us from the wages of living a sinful life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Much heartache comes from going against God’s rules, and if you die without Christ, then death is eternal. Shattered lives result from rebelling against God’s rules. Separation from loved ones, wallowing in the pig pen of life, and unhappiness all come from going against God. That lifestyle might be disguised by a mansion and jet set living, but without God it’s still a pig pen.

The prodigal’s father could have forced his beloved son to stay home, but his love for his son allowed the father to give his son freedom to choose whether to honor his father or rebel. The son made his choice and had to be responsible for the results. God could have forced humans to follow His rules, but that isn’t love. So, God allows us to make the choice whether to follow Him or disobey His rules. His love is perfect love, and our obedience to Him is evidence of our love for Him.

The father in the parable deeply loved this rebellious son, and his love showed in allowing that prodigal son to find out for himself just how tough the world can be. His beloved son would live or die by his own choice. In his father’s house he knew true love, and he didn’t worry about food or clothing because his father provided for him. In the world it was a different way of life. He spent his inheritance on “…riotous living” (Luke 15:13b). He sewed his wild oats, but when the money was gone, so were the “friends.” Whatever pleasure his money bought disappeared, and he found out he had no real friends and no more protection.

“The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Notice, it isn’t money that’s evil, but the love of it. The young man not only had spent his money and had no friends, but a famine hit. He had to find a job (there was no welfare back then, and people were expected to work). Jobs weren’t easy to come by, but he did find one. “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine” (Luke 15:15). This was about as low as a Jewish man could sink. It’s easy to criticize that young man, but when we point an accusing finger at someone, we have 3 fingers pointing back at us. Are you living by God’s rules, or are you rebelliously living by your own rules and falling into your own pigpen? No good can come from turning away from God.

The prodigal’s father knew the dangers and never stopped loving his son. It must have broken his heart knowing his son had made such a bad choice, but this wise father knew that the son had to learn from his mistakes. If the father had forced the prodigal son to return home where it was safe, would the son have learned anything? Would he still be rebellious and looking for greener pastures? The son had to make the choice, not his father. I do wonder if the father had made bad choices in his own youth that taught him lessons. Was that how he understood that his son had to learn from experience? Eventually, that rebellious young man came to his senses.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:17-19).

Among other lessons he had learned the tough lesson of humility. We all need to learn that lesson. The prodigal also knew his father was a man who used his money wisely and unselfishly. He treated his servants kindly and took care of their needs.

The prodigal son, now a humble son, had no idea what kind of a reception awaited him, but he knew that a servant in his father’s house was better off than he was. The father’s reaction always brings a tear to my eye. “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). What joy his father felt! He was watching, and when he saw his son coming home, his reaction is a lesson for us all. Human nature could have caused him to say “I told you so” or “I hope you learned your lesson.” Instead, the father ran to his son and his joy overflowed. He didn’t ask for explanations or make the son beg for forgiveness, but kissed him and welcomed him home.

Do you have a prodigal son or daughter in your life? How will you react when they come to their senses and return to you? You need to forgive, forget, and welcome them home with joy.

Another question is, are you a prodigal son or daughter? Maybe it’s time for you to return Home to the Father who loves you. We all have choices and all have been in the shoes of that prodigal son to one extent or another. We think the grass is greener elsewhere, but that’s not reality. God offers us pure love and protection, but most of us choose to rebel against His rules. Whatever your sin, God your Father is watching and waiting for you to come to your senses.

Think about this: the prodigal son was a part of his father’s family, even in his rebellion, just as Christians are a part of God’s family. When we accept Christ for salvation, then rebelliously turn against Him, we have lost many rewards and protection, but we are still God’s child. When we humble ourselves and return to Him, He will forgive us. “Likewise, I say unto, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).

God loved us enough to step into this fallen world to bring us the only way of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3: 16-17). Whether you have never come to Christ for salvation or if you have rebelled and walked away, there’s still forgiveness waiting. God’s rules have never changed, but after living in the pigpen of the world ruled by Satan, God’s rules aren’t so bad. They protect us from the satanic evil that rules the world. You need to realize your sin and ask forgiveness.

The prodigal son came home and found his father watching for him, but he also found resentment from his brother. “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou has killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:29-30).

Are you a Christian who lives a perfect life and serves Jesus without any failures? That’s a trick question because we all fail. Do you resent the forgiveness the Father has for prodigals who return to Him? The worst of sinners will find forgiveness through Jesus, including every Christian who stumbles. The Father welcomes all sinners home and forgets the sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

You need to repent… truly repent. That means you change your mind about living in rebellion to God. If your repentance is sincere, then, through the blood of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Temptation to sin will continue to tug at your mind, but you need to resist the temptation. Just because God is willing to forgive doesn’t mean you can keep on sinning. Jesus told the prostitute who found forgiveness “…neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11b). We need to choose to take up our cross, crucify the sin in our life to that cross, and follow Jesus.

Are you a prodigal? Were you raised in the love and safety of a Christian home, but thought the world offered more fun and excitement? Your father and mother are waiting for you to return home, but there’s a greater Father waiting for you. Take a look at your life and see how sin has bankrupted you. Repent and return to your Heavenly Father now. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

James understood humbling himself before the Lord. Many Bible scholars agree that he was the half brother of Jesus (Mary was his mother but Joseph was his father). Scripture discloses that he, along with the other brothers, didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah and mocked Him. Once James realized that Jesus was truly the Messiah, he humbled himself and gave his life to the Lord’s service. He called himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is waiting and watching for your return. Humble yourself before Him now in repentance and give yourself to Him. Make your choice now because tomorrow may be too late. Prodigal living is deadly.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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What Would You Change? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 11, 2020 by RR7

What a mess! I never thought I would see the United States being destroyed and the people of America allowing it to happen. The destruction isn’t just in the United States, but the entire world is engulfed in demonic hatred. I shouldn’t be surprised. No Christian should be surprised. Prophecy is on fast-forward. Anyone who studies prophecy can easily see what’s happening.

Unfortunately, too many Christians don’t take time to read Scripture, let alone study it. I have actually had Christians tell me that there are parts of Scripture that God doesn’t want us to understand. Oh my! Why would God inspire men to write words that aren’t to be understood?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Those words where inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by Paul. So, think about it for a minute. That verse says “all” (Greek word “pas” meaning each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything), so shouldn’t we study all of Scripture? That’s a no-brainer. Yes, we need to study every word of Scripture. That means the easy parts as well as the parts that take a bit of study. In order to grow in our walk with the Lord, we need to change our way of thinking and living to match God’s expectations. One of those parts of Scripture that takes a bit of study is prophecy. God put prophecy into Scripture in order to let us know where we are in history. It’s up to us to study the signs.

Another statement I’ve heard from Christians is “Every generation has believed they were the last.” That’s true. Actually, Paul’s writings seem to indicate he felt the Rapture would happen during his lifetime. Since he was inspired by the Holy Spirit in what he wrote, shouldn’t the Spirit have told him that the Rapture and the end days would happen many centuries after his lifetime? Ask yourself this question. If you knew the exact day of the Rapture, or even the exact day of your own death, would you live a wild and crazy life right up until the final hour? Then just before the end, would you repent and get right with God? We need to repent now and live for Him because, at any moment, we may find we’ve run out of time.

Although we cannot know the exact day, we can see the signs. That is, we can see the signs if we study all of Scripture, including prophecy. Jesus seems to think it’s important to understand the times in which we live. He rebuked the Pharisees for not discerning the times in which they lived.

“He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:2-3).

The Pharisees had just asked Him for a sign that He was the Messiah. Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies which gave signs of the Messiah, but the Pharisees chose to continue in their stubborn blindness and ignorance. Christians today also choose blindness and ignorance of the signs of the end times which are happening so quickly.

The Old Testament includes many prophecies concerning the end of days, including ones by Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and others. The New Testament also contains end-times prophecy, including Jesus’ answer to His disciples when asked about the end of the age. He told of false prophets, wars, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes. Have you noticed any of these signs today? Actually, these are reasons why every generation thought theirs was the last. These signs have always happened.

Jesus said “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7). These events would happen throughout time, but grow stronger towards the end…like birth pains. He also talked of love waxing cold. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).

The word for “iniquity” is “anomia” and means “a condition without law; contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness.” I see a lot of that on the news lately, and it’s getting worse. The word for “love” is agape, and the word translated “wax cold” is “psycho.” When there’s contempt for law, and people no longer have a Godly type of love, then they will sink to the lowest levels of wickedness. The coldness can be seen in every generation, but the coldness of today is astounding.

The Caesars of Rome were coldhearted and immoral, and they had little love for Christians. Hitler was coldhearted, and the murders he sanctioned were absolutely evil. Today we see riots in the streets fueled by demonic hatred, and the murder of babies is sanctioned by government law. Yes, things are getting worse and iniquity is abounding. Can any good come from such evil? After Hitler’s fury, the nation of Israel was re-established, which is an amazing fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 11:11 and Amos 9:14-15). If you’ve studied prophecy, you know that God said the nation of Israel will never be uprooted again.

Let’s get back to love waxing cold. When I was a teenager growing up in the 1960’s, I was very afraid. Drug abuse was rampant, riots were violent, and student protests at colleges kept me from going to college because of fear. Those things all seem mild by today’s standards. The riots of today are for the sole purpose of destroying America.

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places” (Matthew 24:6-7).

These “wars and rumours of wars” have always happened, but are growing in numbers. Civil strife within a nation and war between nations are happening worldwide. I can tell you that I have very little sympathy and no respect for a high-paid movie star or sports figure talking about how unfair their life is because of their skin color. I have no sympathy for hoodlums destroying businesses that hard-working people have built, and then crying police brutality when they are treated like the criminals they are. Verily, verily love is waxing cold, and satanic forces are driving the unreasonable hatred seen today. This strife is all leading up to a world leader who will turn out to be pure evil. That’s in prophecy.

Can we talk about pestilence? There’s a virus today that has shut down the world. Is it a fake crisis or is it real? No matter what you believe on that point, the stage is being set for complete control of people. It also shows just how cold people are becoming. When this craziness began, a movie star and his wife came down with the virus. Headlines were filled with concern, and when they survived, it brought hope that others could survive. Recently, President Trump and his wife have come down with this virus. The same liberal voices who were so concerned about the movie star are spewing hatred and venom towards President and Mrs. Trump.

One liberal big mouth said he was praying for the virus and that it kills the president. What’s wrong with people? Oh, I remember. Scripture says that love would wax cold as the end of days approaches. Because of this virus, many are forbidden to gather together to worship God, but angry, lawless people are allowed to destroy cities and businesses. Schools have been closed, masks are required, and the governments of the world are successfully isolating people from each other. Not to worry. There’s a miracle vaccine that’s about to make everything OK. Actually, it’s about to set the stage for the Anti-Christ to force the mark of the beast upon all people, as prophesied in Revelation.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

Is that shot the actual mark of the beast? No, but it’s laying the groundwork for it. If you refuse to be injected with this shot, will you be able to work or go to a grocery store? What will be the proof that you’ve had the shot? Let’s just see what the next few months bring. By the way, the mark described in Revelation 13 comes at least 3 ½ years after the Rapture. Do you think signs of the times show the Rapture will happen soon? I do. Maybe you should think about things you need to change in your life in order to honor God. Tomorrow may be too late.

Many, many prophecies have been fulfilled since Israel has been reestablished as a nation, and many are being fulfilled right now. What does that mean to you? If you knew the Rapture would happen tomorrow, what would you change today? Would you continue to condone sin and embrace it in your own life, or would you repent, ask Jesus to forgive you, and live your final hours sharing the Gospel? The reality is, the Rapture could easily happen tomorrow, or it could even happen before you finish reading this commentary. Yes, my friends, we are that close. When it happens, it will be quick. You won’t have time to repent and get right with God.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

What if you don’t live to be taken in the Rapture? What if you die of a heart attack or car accident tomorrow? None of us know when we will find ourselves standing in the presence of Jesus. Now is the time to start living for Him. If you don’t think there’s sin in your life, then you need to start studying Scripture. Remember, it’s God’s opinion that matters, and He never changes. If you think people have changed and Scripture needs to be updated to accommodate the modern ideas of man, then think again. Pride, lust, anger, etc., were sins when Scripture was written and are still sins today. Scripture says that Christians are to be a living sacrifice.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). That means to put aside our fleshly desires and attitudes in order to serve Jesus. Serve Him on His terms, not human terms.

I will ask again. If you knew that tomorrow would be your last day on earth, what would you change? My heartfelt suggestion is that you would live for Christ and that you make those changes now.