ho are you? The issue of identity is as
important in a person’s life as the issue of victory. The believer’s
identity is especially important because Christians often see themselves
only as forgiven sinners. The believers’ self-esteem develops the same
way someone's esteem in the world does.
Self-image or self-esteem based
upon the natural perspective often deceives us. The usual methods base
the development of self-esteem or one’s self image on the attractiveness
of the physical body, successes and failures in life, parental attitudes,
our perception of God’s attitudes toward us, and peer approval or
rejection. In order to live a Victorious Life develop your self-image or
self-esteem upon truth and from a spiritual perspective. The goal is to
develop the believer’s self-image Biblically. One of the most critical
issues in this endeavor has to do with the doctrine of the believer’s
righteousness. As we begin to understand how the issues of law and grace
affect both acceptance and identity, the truth replaces the lies from the
past and develops a true sense of your relationship with God and knowing
we can freely approach God through Jesus.
The believer’s identity ‘in
Christ’ is the basis for knowing who we are. The object of this work is
to establish our identity. God tells us that we are His children. By
reflecting Jesus Christ’s life daily, we fulfill our part in maintaining
this relationship.
Before we came to Christ, the self-life or
flesh produced the believer’s old identity and poor self-image.
Unfortunately most Christians do not know who we are ‘in Christ’ (where we
are positionally and conditionally). When we received Jesus Christ as our
Savior, God placed us ‘in Christ’, however, most people do not receive Him
as Lord and Life at that time and have no victory in life.
The main reasons people come for
counseling are: poor self-image, or lack of a sense of victory in their
Christian walk. The Biblical response to this dilemma is to establish our
identity based on the truth of the Scriptures: Truth is what determines
who we are. Our self-image in not based on what we do. What we do does
not determine who we are. We did not have a chance to live a righteous
life before we came to Christ. Our Adamic nature left us powerless over
sin. The intention of the Law is to lead us to redemption in Christ.
Jesus fulfills the promise that God would give us a renewed heart and
spirit. The promise comes as a rebirth with a renewed heart and spirit
that God gives to everyone who believes on the Son of Righteousness.
God’s response to our heart of
stone is to place us in Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness: 1 Cor
1:30, ‘But of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom
from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.’ Through
the work of Jesus we have received our righteous standing before God. We
see this in Phil 3:9, ... and be found in Him, not having my own
righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in
Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
WHO ‘I AM’
nderstanding who you are ‘in Christ’ is
absolutely essential in living the Abundant Life, the Exchanged Life, the
Victorious Life, etc.. Our success in living above the storms of life
depends on letting go and letting Jesus reflect His Life through us. It
will come when we accept grace as the entire work of God alone. If we
want to live, we need to believe what God says about us and act upon His
Word. God's Word says I am a saint, and although I occasionally sin, I am
not condemned for it. He has declared that I am righteous, completely
acceptable in His sight, because of what He has done for me. I choose to
believe what God says about me, and believing this will determine my
behavior. I am who God says, I am. Therefore, I am a child of God.
I am eternally secure in my relationship
with God through Jesus Christ
‘And I give them eternal life, and they
shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ‘My
Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able
to snatch them out of My Father's hand. ‘I and My Father are one.’ --
John 10:28-30
I am accepted by God in Jesus Christ and
have been placed ‘in Christ’ spiritually
But of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for
us wisdom from God; and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption; -- 1 Cor 1:30
My life is ‘in Christ’. I died to my old
nature. I am a new creation ‘in Christ’ reconciled to God through
Christ.
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for
God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ
compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all
died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Therefore, from now on, we
regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ
according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.
Now all things are of God, who
has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling
the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and committed
to us the word of reconciliation.
Now then, we are ambassadors for
Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's
behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin
for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. -- 2 Cor
5:13-21
I am the salt of the earth and the light
of the world in Christ
‘You are the salt of the earth; but if the
salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ‘You are the
light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. -- Mat
5:13-14
I am a child of God (part of His family)
and a citizen of heaven
But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His
name: --John 1:12
For our citizenship is in heaven, from
which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, -- Phil
3:20
I am part of the true vine, a channel (a
branch) of His (Christ's) life and His friend
‘No longer do I call you servants, for a
servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you
friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to
you. ‘You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever
you ask the Father in My name He may give you. -- John 15:15-16
I am a personal witness of Christ for
Christ
‘But you shall receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ -- Acts 1:8
I am justified and forgiven all my sins
Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, -- Rom 5:1
... in whom we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins. -- Col 1:14
I am a slave of righteousness and enslaved
to God
And having been set free from sin, you
became slaves of righteousness. -- Rom 6:18
But now having been set free from sin, and
having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end,
everlasting life. -- Rom 6:22
I am free forever from condemnation
There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. -- Rom 8:1-2
I am assured all things will work out for
my good
And we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to
His purpose. -- Rom 8:28
I know God will stand behind me
What then shall we say to these things? If
God is for us, who can be against us? -- Rom 8:31
I know nothing will separate me from
Christ's love
Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? -- Rom 8:35
I am a son of God (God is my adoptive
‘daddy’)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,
‘Abba, Father.’ -- Rom 8:14 -15
For you are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus. -- Gal 3:26
And because you are sons, God has sent
forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’
-- Gal 4:6
... having predestined us to adoption as
sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His
will, -- Eph 1:5
I am a joint-heir with Christ sharing His
inheritance with Him
... and if children, then heirs; heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may
also be glorified together. -- Rom 8:17
I am a temple (home) of God. His Spirit
(His life) dwells in me
Do you not know that you are the temple of
God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? -- 1 Cor 3:16
Or do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you
are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God
in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. -- 1 Cor 6:19
I am joined (united) to the Lord and am
one spirit with Him
But he who is joined to the Lord is one
spirit with Him. -- 1 Cor 6:17
I am a member (part) of Christ's body
Now you are the body of Christ, and
members individually. -- 1 Cor 12:27
For we are members of His body, of His
flesh and of His bones. -- Eph 5:30
I have been established in Christ,
anointed, and sealed by God
Now He who establishes us with you in
Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the
Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. -- 2 Cor 1:21-22
I am part of a new creation in Christ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new. -- 2 Cor 5:17
I have been given a spirit of love,
power, and a sound mind
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind. -- 2 Tim 1:7
I am complete in Christ
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all
principality and power. -- Col 2:9-10
I am confident the God will complete the
work He began in me
... being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of
Jesus Christ; -- Phil 1:6
I am reconciled to God and am a minister
of reconciliation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through
Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, -- 2 Cor
5:17-18
I am God's co-worker
For we are God's fellow workers; you are
God's field, you are God's building. -- 1 Cor 3:9
I am a son of God and one in Christ
For you are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. -- Gal 3:26-28
I am an heir of God since I am a son of
God -- Gal 4:6-7
And because you are sons, God has sent
forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir
of God through Christ.
I am a saint
To the church of God which is at Corinth,
to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints, with all who in every
place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: --
1 Cor 1:2
To the saints and faithful brethren in
Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. -- Col 1:2
I am God's workmanship (handiwork) and was
created (born anew) in Christ
For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in
them. -- Eph 2:8-10
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of
God's people in His family
Now, therefore, you are no longer
strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God, -- Eph 2:19
I am a prisoner of Christ
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, --
Eph 4:1
I may approach God with freedom and
confidence
... in whom we have boldness and access
with confidence through faith in Him. -- Eph 3:12
I am righteous and holy
... if indeed you have heard Him and have
been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning
your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you
put on the new man which was created according to God, in true
righteousness and holiness. -- Eph 4:21-24
I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me! -- Phil 4:13
I am a citizen of heaven and seated in
heaven right now
For our citizenship is in heaven, from
which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, --
Phil 3:20
I am hidden with Christ in God
For you died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. -- Col 3:3
I am an expression of the life of Christ
because He is my life
When Christ who is our life appears, then
you also will appear with Him in glory. -- Col 3:4
I am chosen of God, holy, and dearly loved
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering; -- Col 3:12
I am a son of light and not of darkness
You are all sons of light and sons of the
day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. -- 1 Th 5:5
I am a holy brother/sister, partaker of a
heavenly calling
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the
heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession,
Christ Jesus, -- Heb 3:1
I am a partaker of Christ and I share in
His life
For we have become partakers of Christ if
we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, -- Heb 3:14
I can find grace and mercy in time of need
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-- Heb 4:16
I am one of God's living stones and am
being built up (in Christ) as a spiritual house
... you also, as living stones, are being
built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. -- 1 Pet 2:5
I am part of a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession
But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim
the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had
not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. -- 1 Pet 2:9-10
I am an alien and stranger to this world I
temporarily live in
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and
pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, -- 1 Pet
2:11
I am an enemy of the devil
Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour. -- 1 Pet 5:8
I am now a child of God. I will resemble
Christ when He returns
Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the
world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are
children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we
know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him
as He is. -- 1 John 3:1-2,
I am born of God and the evil one (the
devil) cannot touch me
We know that whoever is born of God does
not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one
does not touch him. -- 1 John 5:18
I am a sheep of His pasture. Therefore, I
have everything I need
The Lord is my
Shepherd - THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want -
THAT'S SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures - THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside
still waters - THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul
-- THAT'S HEALING!
He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness - THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For His name sake -
THAT'S PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death - THAT'S TESTING!
I will fear no evil -
THAT'S PROTECTION!
For Thou art with me
- THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and Thy staff
they comfort me - THAT'S DISCIPLINE!
Thou preparest a
table before me in the presence of mine enemies - THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my
head with oil - THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over -
THAT'S ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - THAT'S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in
the house of the Lord - THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever - THAT'S
ETERNITY!
here is a familiar story or parable in the
New Testament that we bring to your attention. If you ever heard a
parable, it is probably this one in Luke 15. There are many lessons that
we can extract from the story but the focus will be on the problem of the
‘flesh’ from the parable of the Prodigal Son. We want to highlight the
flesh patterns and manifestations of the two sons. We will look at what
drives or motivates their actions and attitudes.
The story of the ‘Prodigal Son’
has three characters everyone readily recognizes. They are the Father and
the two sons. We usually view the older son as the obedient son. The
younger is the wayward son, and known as the Prodigal Son. There is
another player, lurking in the shadows, that we see at second glance. The
sons knew their father, so let’s look at the character of the sons. Both
knew their father well enough to get their inheritance. The younger
foolishly took his inheritance and squandered it on riotous living. When
the younger son returned with repentance, the older son was resentful of
the father’s treatment. Both were wrong in their actions, but we do not
see the resolution to the elder son’s reaction in the story. Let’s look
at the responses of the three players to see the people behind the
characters. At second glance, and this is our focus, is another
character in the story, our flesh.
We will pick up where the
younger son realized the folly of his way and decided to return to his
father. Note the father’s response to the younger son’s return in verse
22, ‘So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long
way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran
to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’ We can clearly
see the love of the father and attribute his response to that of our
heavenly Father.
In verse 21 we see the
repentance of the younger son, ‘The son said to him, 'Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.' How many are willing to admit what we do to our Father and
that we are not worthy of being called a son? Do we realize that our
flesh can never please our Father? Are we slow to come to Him and confess
our flesh? Do we render His forgiveness ineffective by believing we are
unworthy? Are we quick to apply His forgiveness that is already
complete? We are forgiven completely! God desires that we apply that
forgiveness.
Do we believe our heavenly
Father responds to us in the same manner as He did to His young son in
verse 22? Take a close look at the Father’s response. ‘But the father
said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a
ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and
kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was
dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to
celebrate.’ Did you notice that the father never mentions the sins of the
Prodigal Son? Our Father does not mention our sins. He does not condemn
or indict us because of our sin. Surely scripture indicates there is
rejoicing that comes with repentance.
Can we attribute the response of
our Father’s celebration not only to the lost but to any wayward
believer? It seems like the spiritual thing to assume. Many people teach
the Prodigal Son is the sinner or unregenerate soul that comes to Christ
for salvation. There is a definite application but we believe God is
teaching about believers. Our focus here is on the flesh, but what about
God’s forgiveness and our attitude toward Him? The Prodigal Son returned
with confession (agreement with God) and reliance upon the mercy and Grace
of his father. This is exactly what God wants us to do. He wants us to
Agree with Him (confess) and claim His Grace. To claim His Grace also
means that we apply His forgiveness which He already made complete.
Forgiveness is also part of our unending and often unapplied inheritance!
What about the elder son’s
response? Is the elder son’s reaction justified? Let’s take a close look
at the reaction of the elder son in the following verses: 25 ‘Meanwhile,
the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard
music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what
was going on. 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has
killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 ‘The
older brother became angry and refused to go in. Where did the older
brother’s reaction come from? The Father’s response to his older son’s
reaction is seen in the second part of verse 28, ‘So his father went out
and pleaded with him.’ The Father is obviously concerned about His son’s
reaction and tried to change his mind.
In verse 29 - 30, we see the
reality behind the elder son’s reaction, ‘But he answered his father,
'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your
orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with
my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property
with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
The elder son reveals his heart
in these verses. He was angry because of his Father’s gracious response
to his brother. The elder son worked for years, obeying his father’s
every command. Deep in our heart are we ever prideful of our obedience to
our Father? Do we ever believe it is our Faith that is important? Do we
ever take pride in our performance? What about this next question that
reveals the older son’s response. Do we ever look down our nose or judge
a fellow brother when they sin? That one might catch us all! What was
the motive in his heart? Did he not reveal his heart in his desire for
the fattened calf? Did he want to serve the Father because he loved him
or was he working for the inheritance? How many of us are working for God
to gain eternal life? When will we realize that Christ has completed His
work and we can Identify with Him?
The reality of God’s grace and
truth we see in verse 31, ‘'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with
me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be
glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was
lost and is found.'‘ Every loving father rejoices over seeing his son or
daughter restored. A celebration is always a correct response. Did you
catch the promises and encouragement of the father? He said, ‘You are
always with me.’ Do you realize that once a son always a son? Our sinful
behavior and fleshy living cannot destroy our relationship. This truth is
very difficult for some to accept and we will talk about this later. The
father also said, ‘Everything I have is yours.’ This is precisely the
reason why this book was written. Our Father desires that we know
everything He gives us. He desires that we live in our Identity as Sons
and joint-heirs with Christ. Just like the older son, many do not know or
use the inheritance that our Father desires we use and apply today!
We all go the way of the
‘Prodigal Son’ in some manner. What is the similarity between our conduct
and attitudes with those of the elder son’s reaction and his brother’s
folly? The same force that seduced the ‘prodigal’ is the same force that
caused the elder’s ‘rejection’ of his brother. This , in turn, prompted
his Father’s plea for reconciliation. The ‘Flesh’ is the culprit in both
situations.
While God’s 'agape' love
responds with grace and mercy, the ‘Flesh’ or ‘self-life’ reacts to
protect itself and it’s assumed ‘rights’. When we look at the two
brothers, we clearly see the nature of the flesh at work in both sons.
The flesh seduced the younger brother into squandering his inheritance and
caused him to take lightly his Sonship. Many people easily relate to the
idea of the younger son squandering his inheritance. We believe there is
a better understanding.
God gives us everything in
Christ Jesus. This is our living inheritance and God freely gives His
riches. His Grace and Mercy never fail! When we do not apply his
finished work, we take them lightly. When we take His promises and our
inheritance lightly, we live as though we are unrelated. Disregarding and
taking our inheritance lightly are the thoughts those Scriptures link
together. Are we disregarding and taking our inheritance lightly?
As we understand our acceptance
in Christ and know why God calls us sons, will that change our conduct?
We see the flesh in control of the older brother in his reaction to the
Father’s attempt to restore the younger son. You can also see his
attitude toward conformance. It reveals a twisted understanding of what
drives our obedience, and a fleshy understanding of our Identity. We will
talk about this later in more detail.
God wants all of our attempts at
being acceptable to come to an end. When we wage war against the ‘flesh’
or ‘self-life’ in our own strength it has nothing to do with a godly
sorrow that leads to repentance or freedom. Instead, it is a self-focused
attempt to redeem oneself. In reality, the final focus is usually a good
effort on our part to improve the flesh. Improving our flesh has nothing
to do with our life in the Spirit. Yet, so many Christians labor
endlessly to improve their flesh. How often do we strive or try to please
with the wrong motive or source? How similar are we to the older son in
the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Can you relate to him? How many
similarities can we draw to the younger son? Can you relate to him? Can
you see the need and hope for God's help in the truth presented? Have you
gained a greater understanding of the Flesh? As we accept God's
declaration of our righteousness in Christ alone, we find the antidote and
power to render the flesh dead.
To understand or know that the
old man is dead, to reckon yourself dead to sin and then to offer or
present yourself to God is a building block to our maturity. If we are
going to find our victory in the finished work of the Cross, we must
render the flesh dead. Let us look a little deeper at the flesh and see
what drives it.
Knowing
the customs of the day will help you appreciate what the father said and
extended to his son. The giving of the robe indicated his forgiveness.
The giving of the ring gave the son the authority of the father. Slaves
could not wear sandals, so placing sandals on his feet indicated the proof
of his sonship. He was always a son, for the father said, ‘For this my
son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.’ It is sure
great to see how our Father responds to us. How many Christians do you
know refuse to accept His grace!
Let's
look now at what the father did not say and ‘see’ what we can learn.
First, the son had disgraced and dishonored the father and squandered the
wealth of the family. Did you notice that the sins of the Prodigal Son
were never mentioned by the father? Our Father never mentions our sins
either! He does not condemn or indict us because of our sin. How healing
and graceful this practice is when we live out this reality in our home
and churches! So often the church is quick to condemn and judge, in
direct contradiction to what the Father exhibits and extends to His
saints. Also, the father would not even acknowledge the son's
self-condemnation or request to be a servant. Instead the father calls
for a celebration, and the Scripture indicates clearly that there is
rejoicing when repentance occurs. Review the first ten verses of Luke 15
to see the context of repentance. This parable deals with a son who did
not understand his identity and sought his identity apart from the
father. It is no different than what believers do today when they seek
their identity apart from Christ!
We can
attribute the Father's celebration not only to the lost but to any
believer that appears to be wayward! This would seem to be the spiritual
lesson to apply for many people who teach the Prodigal Son is the sinner
or unregenerate soul that comes to Christ for salvation. This may be the
application God is teaching about believers. However, our interest here
is on the flesh and about the forgiveness of God and our attitude toward
Him?
Let's
extract a couple items. The Prodigal Son returned with confession
(admitting what he had done and agreement with God) and reliance upon the
mercy and grace of his father. This is exactly what God wants believers
to do! God wants believers to Agree with Him (confess) and claim His
Grace. Nowhere do we find that God expects or wants His Saints to come to
Him begging forgiveness. The thought we suggest is contrary to the
teaching of many churches. There confusion generated when believers
misuse or misapply terms such as grace, mercy, repentance, confession,
pardon and forgiveness. When these terms are understand in the light of
God’s word, error is corrected and the chains of bondage are broken. To
claim His Grace also means that we apply His forgiveness which He has
already made complete! Forgiveness is also part of our unending and often
unapplied inheritance!
Let us
expand on what we just presented to allow you to think about how our
Father is pleased when we apply His forgiveness. There are some churches
who doctrinally and experientially keep Christ on the Cross. The teaching
correlates that we must continually go the Cross to confess our sins. The
same teachings may also include the practice of using confessionals. In
many ways, this practice is correct in that the Scriptures tell us to
confess our sins or faults to fellow believers. The practice is all but
lost in our churches.
In the
New Covenant, God reveals that He makes every believer a Saint and a king
or a priest. We have direct access to the Mercy Seat of the Father
through Jesus Christ. The New Covenant also applies the blood of Christ
forever. The blood of Christ paid for all our sins -- past, present and
future. God wants us to acknowledge our sin-- He knows what we did!-- and
receive forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood paid the
continual price for our sins, once and for all time! Hopefully we will
learn to effectively receive His grace in our time of need and not blemish
the sacrifice He so freely gave. Think about this the next time you are
convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. When you turn to your Father in the
manner of the prodigal son as he made the confession that he was unworthy
to be called a son, do you miss or forfeit the magnitude of your sonship
and God's atonement? Agreement with (confession to) God is what Christ
wants from you! After the Holy Spirit brings you to repentance, turn to
God and agree with Him that we need His blood that continually covers our
sin and turn in dependence upon Christ to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. The definition and practice of true repentance is
turning to God in complete dependence upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
to save us.
What
about the response of the elder son? Is his reaction justified? Let's
take a close look at the reaction of the elder son in the following
verses: ‘Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the
house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and
asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and
your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and
sound. ‘The older brother became angry and refused to go in. Where did
the older brother's reaction come from? The flesh! The Father's response
to his older son's reaction is seen in the second part of verse 28, ‘So
his father went out and pleaded with him.’ The Father is obviously
concerned about His son's reaction and tried to persuade him to change his
mind.
In verse
29 we see the reality behind the elder son's
reaction, ‘But he
answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and
never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I
could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has
squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the
fattened calf for him!’ The verses reveal the heart of the elder son. He
was angry because of his Father’s gracious response to his brother.
Working for years the elder son obeyed his father's every command. Are we
ever proud of our obedience to our Father? Do we believe it is our Faith
that is important? Do we take pride in our performance?
What
about this next question that reveals the judgment of the older son's
response? Do we look down our nose or judge fellow saints when they sin?
That one might catch us all! Instead let’s look at the motive of his
heart? His desire for the fattened calf reveals his heart’s intentions.
Did he want to serve the Father because of his love, or was he working for
the inheritance? How many believers ‘work’ for God to gain acceptance or
eternal life? Do we realize that we have ALL spiritual blessings in
Christ? Christ wants us to know that we can receive and use our
inheritance ANYTIME! He rejoices to see us fully appropriating His life.
When will you realize Christ has completed His work and identify with
Him? When believers realize they are joint heirs with Christ they will
become recipients of a full inheritance. When Saints, who have the
authority of Christ, use their inheritance, they will receive power from
on high to do God’s perfect will. The answers will enable us to fully use
our God-given inheritance and fulfill the Great Commission of the church.
The
reality of God's grace and truth is seen in verse 31, ‘'My son,' the
father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32)
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was
dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'‘ Every loving father
rejoices over seeing his children restored. A celebration is always a
correct response. Did you catch the promises and encouragement of the
father? He said, ‘You are always with me.’ Do you realize that once a
son always a son? Sinful behavior and fleshy living never destroys our
relationship! This truth is very difficult for some believers to
accept. Some believers have a difficult time accepting grace. It's
easier to be rigid, unforgiving, condemning, unthankful, ignorant, pious,
haughty, and downright disgraceful. After all, isn't this just about the
response of the older brother in the parable? Grace counteracts and
supersedes all negative characteristics. Many believers disapprove of the
father's grace toward His young son’s repentance. It's too bad they miss
out on the celebration!
Surely
our sin and carnal living will deplete our joy. However, it will never
destroy our bloodline. His blood flows through our ‘spiritual veins’
forever! The Father also said, ‘Everything I have is yours’ and this
thought is precisely one of the reasons this book was written. The
authors’ desire is to proclaim His truth about the inheritance our loving
Father left in His Will. Our Father desires that you know what He left
for believers in His Last Will and Testament which is the New Covenant
signed in His blood. He desires for us to live in our Identity as Sons
and joint-heirs with Christ. Sadly though, just like the elder son, many
believers do not know about or use their inheritance. God's Grace is seen
in His finished work when His Last Will and Testament actually becomes
your Living Trust! What a Popular truth!
We all
go the way of the Prodigal Son in some manner. What is the similarity
between our conduct or attitudes and that of the elder son's reaction and
his brother's folly? The force that seduced the prodigal son is the same
force that caused the older son to reject the love, grace, forgiveness and
reconciliation of his father toward his wayward brother. The ‘Flesh’ is
the culprit in both situations. The flesh is the culprit in your life,
too!
While
God's ‘agape’ love responds with grace and mercy, the ‘Flesh’ reacts to
protect itself and its assumed ‘rights.’ When we look at the two
brothers, the nature of the flesh can be clearly seen. The flesh seduced
the younger brother into squandering his inheritance and caused him to
take lightly his Sonship. The flesh of the older son is seen in his
attitudes and reactions to the celebration ordered by his father. Let’s
quickly learn from God's amazing love and grace allowing Christ to remove
the remnants of the ‘flesh’ from your life.
Many
people easily relate to the idea of the younger son squandering his
inheritance. We believe the better understanding is that God gives you
every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. Some teach that God gives
believers everything they ask for, bringing people into bondage that seems
to revolve around this false teaching. There seems to be many in the
‘Name-it, Claim-it’ group who believe this lie. Our goal here is not to
debate this teaching or issue but to emphasize what the Scripture
teaches. Ephesians 1:3 says, ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the
heavenly places in Christ.’ As we just stated, our goal is to proclaim
His inheritance and if saints could focus on this truth, we would say AMEN
a thousand times over.
Christ
wants you to know about and fully use your inheritance! Do not regard
your inheritance lightly! Seriously, use the inheritance to your full
advantage! This is the very reason Christ gives you all spiritual
blessings. His blessings absolutely do nothing if they are left
unused! Use your inheritance as God freely gives His riches. His Grace
and Mercy never fail!
When we
do not apply His finished work, we take His grace and our inheritance
lightly. When we take His promises and our inheritance lightly, we
usually live as though we are unrelated. Do not allow ignorance or
unbelief to prevent you from using your inheritance. Understand your
acceptance in Christ and realize who you are as God’s son and a joint-heir
with Christ. Surely, this will change your conduct!
The
‘flesh’ of the older brother can be seen in his reaction to his father's
attempt to restore the younger son. We see the elder brother’s attitude
towards wanting the younger son to conform to his behavior. It reveals a
twisted belief of what often drives our ‘obedience’ and a fleshy
understanding of our identity. This also confirms that spiritual truth
must be received spiritually!
God
wants all of our attempts at being acceptable to come to an end. When we
wage war against the ‘flesh in our own strength it has nothing to do with
a godly sorrow that leads to repentance or freedom. Instead, it is often
a self-focused attempt to redeem ourselves through ‘works-righteousness’
or ‘performance.’ This is nothing more than self-justification that
denies the finished work of Christ. In reality, the final focus is
usually a good effort to improve the flesh.
Flesh
improvement has nothing to do with your life in the Spirit. Yet, so many
Christians labor endlessly to improve their flesh. If there was such a
thing as a degree for Flesh Improvement, many church members would have a
Doctorate Degrees. Surely, God is more interested in our transformation
and Christ living through us to His glory!
How
often do you strive or try to please God with the wrong motive or from the
wrong source? How many similarities do you have with the older son in the
Parable of the Prodigal Son? Can you relate to him? How many
similarities can we draw to the younger son? Can you relate to him and
see how the flesh can completely distort your relationship with God and
Christ? Can you see hope in what is presented? Have you gained a greater
understanding of the Flesh? As you accept God's declaration of your
righteousness in Christ alone, you will find the antidote and power to
render the flesh dead.
Only God
can fill the hollow in your soul! The temptation of the flesh directs us
to get your needs met through our ways and means. Christians who do not
allow God to be their loving Father live shallow lives. They could be
just like children who wait on God to satisfy our appetites in His way!
Unless you were made aware of the 'self-life' when you came to Christ, you
probably accepted Him only as our Savior. God wants more for you, He
wants Jesus to be your Lord and Life.
There
are many ‘believers’ who were scared into the kingdom with the threat of
eternal separation from the love of God. Many times this message is given
to young children who often make the logical choice but never have the
drawing of the Spirit. This ‘fear driven conversion’ often results in
‘believers’ who fail to exhibit the transforming life of Christ. This may
be the case of many and we challenge you to make all effort to examine the
truth to see if you are in the faith. Often, believers ask God to help
their ‘self-life’ or ‘flesh’ which is in opposition to God's will for
their life. When God reveals the need to die to your flesh and leave your
self-life behind, you can trust God even in the valley of the shadow of
death. Your flesh cannot and will not die to itself! The old nature is
the only ‘you’ who can die to the flesh! For Christians, the corrupt
nature still remains and is being transformed every day we practice
Kingdom Living and the flesh is dying as we revisit the past through the
healing of forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.
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