Last week, we looked at the prodigal son and how his Father gladly extended grace and celebrated his return home.
But, there was a family member who wasn’t so thrilled with the party.
Remember that both brothers were given their inheritance at the same time.
One spent it all on lose living, and one hadn’t learned to live in the abundance of his inheritance.
He was livid that a party featuring the fattened calf was thrown for his brother who had indulged in sin with prostitutes.
He had always done what he was told, but did he get so much as a goat kid to party with his friends? NO!
He had a serious knot in his knickers and did not want to celebrate with them.
His father implored him to come in to the party, and pointed out that all that was His had always been available to him.
What was the older son’s error?
He never appropriated what was already his.
He lived in the trap of performance based acceptance instead of grace.
He lived under the Law instead of grace.
There is no celebration in the Law. No, there is only fear and insecurity.
The Law does not empower us to walk in righteousness.
Grace alone teaches us to say no to unrighteousness.
The Law is good, righteous and holy, but it is cold and seemingly harsh.
Grace is filled with love and forgiveness.
It is not license, rather it teaches us to live in God’s love which leads us to obedience.
John tells us that love and obedience are linked together.
If we live in God’s love, we know that obedience is the absolute best for us, and we want to obey.
Grace is the power source for obedience, as we are filled with the Spirit of God.
The same Spirit that empowered Jesus, empowers us for obedience.
We are free from the Law and free to celebrate with fellow believers in all that is ours already in Christ Jesus.
Nothing the world offers us can compare with that!
Beloved, are you enjoying your inheritance, or are you trying to earn what you already have?
That can only lead to legalism and a judgmental and critical spirit.
Enter into the joy of His rest, and celebrate with each child that comes home.
All of us need His grace. Let’s rejoice with each one’s return!
Blessings!
Robyn Henning