What kind of person gets angry when a wretched, broken sinner is restored by the grace of God? Are there really people that selfish?
The answer, according to Jesus, is sadly “Yes”—and they sometimes congregate in churches. In Jesus’ famous story, an arrogant younger brother forces his father to liquidate the family holdings to fund his portion of the estate, yet finally comes to his senses while wrestling pigs for food in a far-off land. Broken by his foolish choices, he makes his best decision ever—to return to the always-open arms of the father. Grace stirs his heart; grace moves his feet; grace gives him words; grace draws him to his father’s arms.
But lurking on the margins is a man turned hideous by his angry rejection of the same grace that brought his younger brother home. Nothing can be given. Everything must be earned. The early bird is the righteous bird. Only the righteous bird deserves the worm. “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to” (Luke 15:29) he snarls at his father. He cannot join the party, for only grace knows how to truly celebrate.
When prodigals come home; when broken lives get mended; when those most undeserving wear the Father’s ring and eat the Father’s food, graceless people show their true colors.
Don’t be surprised. And don’t let them ever keep you from coming fully home.
Stay in grace. -Bill Knott
GOOD AND GRACIOUS (March 11, 2022)
BETTER THAN WINNING (March 04, 2022)
GOING OVERBOARD (February 25, 2022)
THE NEWS WE NEED (February 18, 2022)
LOVE BEYOND OUR LIMITS (February 11, 2022)
SEEING A NEW CONSTELLATION (February 04, 2022)
GETTING PAST REGRET (January 28, 2022)
ANSWERING THE QUESTION (January 21, 2022)
FIXING WHAT’S BROKEN (January 14, 2022)
UNRESOLVED (January 07, 2022)
GENERATIONS OF GRACE (December 31, 2021)
COME ALL, COME NOW (December 24, 2021)
THE WISDOM OF GRACE (December 17, 2021)
ROOM AT THE INN (December 10, 2021)
THE SONG THAT MUST BE SUNG (December 03,2021)
SIMPLE GIFTS (November 26, 2021)
A PRESENT HELP (November 19, 2021)
LOOKING FOR SAFE (November 12, 2021)
TRUSTWORTHY NEWS (November 05, 2021)
THE MEASURE OF FORGIVENESS (October 29, 2021)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Rudolf Steiner Audio
Conspirituality