The Two Prodigal Sons

I was raised to believe the story of "the" prodigal son who asked for his inheritance ahead of time because he was rebellious and sinful in his heart. He was given the inheritance but wasted it on wicked living, ending up in a pig pen without money, eating what the pigs ate.

 
This prodigal son repented, went home, desiring to be a servant because he knew he didn't deserve sonship. His father forgave him, and he was given back what he had lost because of his repentance.

 
What most people forget is that the story does not end with the prodigal's return; it continues with the other son, who was angry that the father forgave the prodigal and refused to honor the father by attending the celebration of the other son's repentance.

 
One son left in anger, came back repentant, and the other son remained dutiful but bitter, never repenting.

 
So why do we say the "story of the prodigal"? There were two prodigal sons, but only one repented and was restored.

We often see those who do all the right things are proud of how good they were and are never repentant because they refuse to recognize their own stubborn attitude. They do their duty out of obligation but have no love or kindness for the father.
I think this is an excellent picture of families who have the "good son" and the "bad son." The bad son repents, and his life is changed, but the good son never repents and remains in bitterness and pride.

 
I believe the reason we were taught only one prodigal is because those who interpreted the scriptures were focused on deeds to be accepted by the father instead of focusing on the heart condision.

This may have led to the misunderstanding that we are accepted by the Father in heaven if we do well, but not accepted if we do not do well, even if we repent.
It is only Christ Who is acceptable, no one is acceptable because of their good behavior, or at least they think is good behavior. Those who have bad attitudes, are jealous and vindictive, think they are alright because their deeds are calculated to appear good, but their heart are wicked, just as wicked as if they had done hateful things.

Proverbs 23:7 "7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you."
God looks more upon the heart than the deeds because the deeds are an indicator outwardly, but the heart can hide the bitterness and anger while playing the role of a good person.

Salvation is of God not of Ourselves

If anyone thinks they can save themselves by obedience, they do not understand the salvation of God.

No child of God walks away because He has been changed by Christ into a new creation. No man can undo what Christ has done in them.

 
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"

God said we are His workmanship not our own.

 
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Sin cannot separate us from God; it hinders our fellowship, but God deals with us as sons.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.…"

Written to believers:
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We confess our sins to grow in holiness. If we do not confess our sins, then we do not grow, but we are not lost.

1 Corinthians 3:13-16 "…14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…"

Those who walk away from Christ were the pretenders; they were never born again. They tried to gain salvation on their own terms through their own effort, but could not keep it up because they were fleshly and never changed by Christ. There are a lot of these in the churches today.

Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

Christ is the one who saves us and transforms us when we trust in Him. Nothing of it is any effort of our own, except to choose to trust in Him, not a work but a mentality.

 
May those who think they can lose their salvation either become saved, or if they are saved, they realize the peace and joy that comes from not worrying about how well they are doing to avoid losing their salvation.