Luke 15:19 (NIV84) "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."
If you have been in church for any period of time-most likely you have heard the story of the prodigal Son. How he abused his father's love and kindness, made a disgrace of his life, then ran home to a forgiving and compassionate father and a jealous brother.
As I was reading this story again in Luke today, this verse stood out to me, because I think many Christians have adopted this attitude.
They are a child of God because of putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but then maybe along the way they have blown it...well, not maybe...we all have blown it from time to time...most likely everyday and several times a day..to act, think,live and represent being a child of God. We have in some way or fashion abused and taken advantage of the love and kindness of our Father-and then we find ourselves sooner or later-bankrupt and wollering in the pig pen and facing despair, distress and depression...all the things that come with rebellion.
So we get this idea...like this young man did...I am no longer worthy to be called a child of God..so I will try to earn my place back into my Father's presence by being a servant instead. Maybe, if I do enough good things, straighten up my act, clean up my life....then my father will accept me again..not as a son or daughter...but at least as a servant....
Here is the good news we need to remember and this young man needed to hear....We were never good enough to be God's children in the first place! None of us are worthy to be His children, we never were and we never will be-we are His by rebirth, in faith in Jesus and once you are His child...you are His child forever! That's why the Father could run to His son and welcome him home before His son even had a chance to speak a word...nothing changes who we are in Christ once you are in Christ.
The young man did suffer consequences as a result of his rebellion, he suffered loss, he was in a place he did not belong or want to be....but who he was did not change because of what he did...Because who he was, was based on his relationship with the Father...not on his ability to please the father. When God looks at us in Christ...He see's His Son...Jesus...and he is always pleased with His Son.
By the way...the other son in the story had the same issue. He did not rebel but he was still trying to earn his father's favor through service instead of trust. Check out verse's 28-30....
Then in verse 31 the father reminds him too.....that he is His son...and all that he has is his too because of his relationship to the father.
So.....if you are in the pig pen today....and facing the consequences of rebellion, sin, bad choices or decisions.....don't despair and think all is lost and don't go to God making deals or bargains that if he will just let you back in..then you will serve Him better.....He is your Father that loves you, seeks you...longs for you to return to Him...because He wants your best and your best is HIM....so go to Him and find restoration and renewal.....and enjoy Who you are in Christ because of what He has done...then serve Him out of love and gratitude...not to earn favor.
And if you are the one...who serves faithfully and trys so hard to keep in check....make sure your motives are because you are grounded the in confidence of who you are in Christ and out of love and gratitude....not for gain...but because you already know that all that the Father has is yours in Christ.
May we all remember...nothing, nothing, nothing can seperate us from the Fathers love.
phebee
