The Prodigal SONS

[dizzyde]

After the thread on backsliding that was started by Steadfast, this part of the bible-study at my church last night really caught my attention.

My pastor was teaching "Adjusting your Attitude", and while the whole lesson was really good, the part that grabbed me was referring to the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. My pastor referred to him as the "eldest prodigal son" and made these statement/observations about him.

1. It's possible to assume the place and privilege of a son while refusing the obligations of a brother.

2. It's possible to serve the Father faithfully but not be in fellowship with him.

3. It's possible to be an heir of all the Father possesses yet have less joy and gratitude than those who possess nothing. (He brought in the point about the servants rejoicing at the younger sons return.)

Summation of this thought was that the wrong attitude of the older brother kept him away from his father's heart desire, the love of his brother, and the joy of his inheritance. Wrong relationship with his brother strained his relationship with his father.

This charged my spirit, and I wanted to pass it on.