Who Are You in God’s Story?

In the same way a clean mirror allows you to see yourself plainly, the story of the Prodigal Son illuminates where you stand in relation to God’s redemptive story. Although there are two sons in the parable, there are three distinct types of offspring represented. Yet, there is only one who is welcomed into the home and given eternal, spiritual life. 

• There are rebellious children who reject their Heavenly Father (the Creator) and idolize the things of this world (the creation). They move far away from acknowledging God as their Father and believe the lie that it is better to live independently from God than to draw near and be under His care. Like orphans in a foreign land, this group suffers from not knowing their true identity, value, and ultimate purpose in life.

• There are prideful children who, by comparison, believe they are better than others, especially those who have a checkered past. These people believe the lie that their “good works” have earned their right-standing with God. Although they may acknowledge “God” or a “supreme being,” their hearts are far from knowing His real character, love, and grace. These people’s good works may look virtuous in public, but inside they are unforgiving, judgmental, and prideful, not recognizing their own need for a savior.

• The repentant children represent those who “come to their senses,” realize their spiritual poverty, and accept the Father’s free invitation to come home through genuine repentance. Unlike the other two groups who are physically alive but spiritually dead, these individuals believe the truth about their Father’s loving nature and accept His invitation to receive spiritual life. This group now enjoys the benefits of living in a new kingdom, under a new, loving Father who will help them cultivate the love, joy, peace, and patience that the world’s system can never supply.

There is one other Son in this parable that is often overlooked. He is the one who is telling this story, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. After telling this parable, this Son was willing to lay down His life so that all humanity would have the ability to be reconciled to God, the Father. This Son lived a sinless life and took upon Himself the world’s sins so anyone, both the rebellious and the prideful, who put their faith in Him, can be welcomed home by the Father. This spotless lamb was the sacrificial robe of righteousness, a covering for your sins. He alone is your road to restoration.

The Bible declares that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17). 

This new life is not received by hard work or comparing yourself to others, but as the Bible says, it is a free gift, only received by faith in God’s restorative plan so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unlike every counterfeit, works-based, religious system based on “climbing the proverbial mountain” to reach God, Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb, came down from Heaven to rescue all those who have faith in God's redemptive plan (Romans 1:17).

God’s plan of restoration, through Jesus Christ, paved the road home for all those who recognize their spiritual poverty, humble themselves, and travel the road to repentance home by faith. True repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change of lifestyle — It is a free will desire to be reconciled to God. God’s invitation to be restored is for you, no matter how far you have distanced yourself from the Father. Only this truth will set you free!

The natural byproduct of your reconciliation with God are the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These are things the god of this world and the temporary lures of money, status, sex, power, etc., can never provide. God’s invitation to come home is available to all people. 

New life is received by faith in God’s message of reconciliation and is nurtured by the Living Word of God, the Holy Bible. Jesus said, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God (John 1:1, 1:14), and the Bible was given to provide those seeking a relationship with God, a comprehensive picture of His unique plan of restoration. 

God’s invitation of reconciliation has been extended to you at this very moment. He will not force you to come home because that would violate your free will. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Filled with love and compassion, God, your Father, is patiently waiting for you to come home.

The choice is yours. Will you accept His invitation?

CHAPTER INDEX: Introduction | The Prodigal Story | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Who are you in God’s Story?