Marrow Reformed Church Of Avon

The parable of the prodigal son is a story that most people are at least familiar with. When we think about it, we tend to focus on the younger brother, who leaves home, wastes his inheritance, and lives however he pleases, only to find himself feeding pigs. However, as you come closer to the end of the story, you begin to realize that it may have been the older brother who was the most lost. This can seem counterintuitive because, seemingly, he did nothing wrong. He stayed home, and he knew and did everything that was expected of him. But just like his younger brother, he had completely missed the love of his father. The younger brother thought he could find happiness apart from his father, while the older brother had turned his relationship with his father into a transaction. He had obeyed, and when grace was shown to someone he believed was undeserving, he became angry. He had spent his life in his father's house, but he did not understand his father's heart. He knew what it meant to serve his father, but he did not understand what it meant to enjoy being his son. The irony is that he wasn't upset because his father was unjust. He was upset because his father was generous. But notice what the father does. He goes out to both sons. He welcomes the rebellious son home, and he pleads with the self-righteous son to come inside. And perhaps the saddest part of the entire parable is that it ends with the younger brother, who had openly rebelled, enjoying the fellowship of his father, while the older brother, who had seemingly done everything right, stands outside. This is the danger of the legal heart. It isn't just that it produces self-righteous people. It's that it can leave people standing outside the joy of the gospel, convinced that their obedience should have earned them the grace that others enjoy. One brother needed to repent of his rebellion, and the other needed to repent of his self-righteousness, but both needed to understand grace. The answer to the rebellious heart is not that it needs to start obeying, and the answer to the legalistic heart is not that it needs to stop trying so hard. The answer to both is Christ, whose righteousness is received by faith, not earned by obedience.

"If children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so it be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom 8:17 Suffering isn’t a mistake or a detour in the Christian life; it doesn't mean that you've done something wrong. It’s part of your inheritance. But the blessing is that we never suffer alone. Every trial is shared with Christ. Every tear is seen by Him. Every burden is carried with His strength. The same Savior who bore the cross for us walks with us in every valley. His presence is the guarantee that we will endure suffering. And suffering is not the end. Romans 8:17 assures us: if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. The cross gives way to the crown. The night gives way to the dawn. Suffering now, but glory is coming.

If salvation could be lost, it would be. But the same God who justifies is the One who keeps. That’s why the saints make it home, not because they never stumble, but because their Shepherd never loses a sheep.