Many contemporary Christians read the parable of the prodigal son usually in their favor, seldom in God's position. However, please reconsider carefully what the father did, what he did not do and hear what he said pertaining to his son and you will understand God's position.

1. What the Father did

The father gave what the son adamantly asked. The son wanted to live on his own terms with his inheritance, which is his father's riches, far away from his father's household, to join himself to the world. The father allowed him to go.

2. What the Father did not do

The father did not stop the son from leaving his household. He also did not go after him nor send his servant to look after him or search for him the whole time. Jesus says in Luke 6:45, "...out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks," so let's hear what the father said.

3. What the Father said

Please consider this carefully and learn this parable.

He said to the older son, "...YOUR BROTHER WAS DEAD..." The moment his younger son, who BY HIS OWN WILL left the father's house, his father considered him dead.

ANYONE AFTER BECOMING A CHILD OF GOD, who BY HIS OWN WILL choose to leave the household of God, is considered dead by God Himself. God will not violate man's will, and therefore will not go or search after him. If anyone desires to be restored in the father's house He must BY HIS OWN WILL return WITH REPENTANCE.

Our heavenly Father, in His long-suffering longs for anyone to turn to Him but will not in any way force them. He has already sent His prophets, even His beloved Son with His message of REPENTANCE (Matthew 4:17), "RETURN TO ME AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU" (Malachi 3:7). "DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU" (James 4:8).

There is much to learn from this parable but I must share it in a separate article.

May the love of God, and the grace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.