Redemption sells. People love stories that tell of someone who sinned and did sinister things, but in the end are forgiven. The most famous story about Redemption next to Christ on the Cross, is The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Preachers and Pastors alike tell this story to their congregations to let them know there is hope; that no matter what you have done, your Father in Heaven will take you back if you run to him, repent, and let his redeeming hands lift you back up.
The Prodigal is a story of hope and thus is popular in the Church. Everyone does need to be reminded that they can be redeemed from their rowdy and rebellious life. However, there is another part to this story. Next to the Prodigal who is at his Father's feet, is the Honorable Brother. Unlike his brother who ate with the pigs, the Honorable Brother has been pious and pure. He has stayed with The Father and not wavered in his devotion. However, this brother is not without faults. When the Prodigal Brother returns, the Honorable Brother is disgruntled because he has never been given a banquet and showered with honors. The Father speaks to the Honorable Son and tells him that "You were always with me, everything that is mine is yours. You need only ask and it will be given to you. But we had to celebrate and be glad, this brother of yours was dead and is now alive again, he was lost and is now found." (Luke 15:32).
It is natural to sympathize with the Prodigal Son. His story of doing what he wills and finding himself trapped in the mud and among the pig demons reminds many of the paths they have taken and where they have strayed from God. Then the second half of the Prodigal Story gives sinners hope that they can return to God and be forgiven. The problem is that we should not want to become prodigals at all. We should want to be the Honorable Son and stay steadfast to our Savior. Those who choose to be the Honorable Brother do feel frustrated that their relatives and friends can do whatever they want and at the end of the day return and receive honor. They feel cheated, that while they have been doing the hard work of purging themselves of Sin, doing the Will of their Father, and ministering to those around them, their brother got to waste his inheritance and cause harm to himself and others, but still be accepted.
Often as Honorable Sons and Daughters, we feel that because we have chosen the narrow and difficult road, that if we make one tiny mistake we should be flogged and suffer a penance. When we see a Prodigal Brother or Sister who after all the appalling things they have done, receive forgiveness and honor, we feel jealous because we are trying so hard to stay faithful and loyal to our Lord, while they departed and forsook their Lord. The truth is that Prodigals may receive great forgiveness, Jesus said "Who received the greater forgiveness? The man who was forgiven the debt of millions or the one who was forgiven the debt of a thousands?" (Matthew 18:21-35). The answer is the one with the greater debt, but with debt comes consequences. What we do not see in the Prodigal Story, is that the Prodigal Son has spent his time with the Pigs and done things that will cause him grief for his whole life. The Prodigal had sex with prostitutes, ate gluttonously and probably got involved in other addictions. Now the Prodigal will have to spend his time purging these addictions and likely will have contracted STDs, may have damaged his liver from drunkenness, and much more that will claim his life.
The Prodigal is forgiven, but forgiveness does not wipe away the consequences. The Prodigal like the Honorable Brother will be purging himself. The difference is that the Honorable Son is purging things that are already programmed into us at birth: jealousy, envy, lust, anger, and etc. The Prodigal has to purge additional evils in his flesh to those already in him from birth. So the truth is that the Honorable Son is the more blessed, because he will not have to break the stronghold of addiction, deal with diseases from bad decisions, and be delivered from more demons.
We should want to be the Honorable Brother. We should be in the Father's Household and doing the Will of the Almighty. It is a hard to purge and to deny our flesh; to do right when our emotions and inhibitions compel us to do wrong. But the reward is great. The Prodigal wasted time, did great harm to his body and soul and probably other people, while The Honorable Brother was able to spend time in the Father's Presence and become closer to his God. The Honorable Brother has not missed out on anything. He has chosen the better position. He is sparred the grief and grimaces that will plague his Prodigal Brother. Both brothers are redeemed, but one chose to rebel and the other to remain with God.
Many of us as Believers are tempted to give into our flesh and the coaxing of demons. We even cite the Prodigal Son's Story as an excuse that after we have had our fun and done our debauchery, we can return to the Father and be redeemed. This is justify sin and God while merciful and willing to redeem, does not tolerate this attitude. It says, "The servant did not do his duties as he waited for his Master (Jesus) to return. The servant began to abuse the other servants (believers) and drink with the drunkards. When the Master returned he said to the rebellious servant, "be gone! Go to the place of hypocrites! Where there is gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:42-51). It is clear that God will not condone sin forever and that risking the Prodigal Experience is not worth it. There is hope if you have been a horrible sinner, that yes the Father will welcome you back into his household if you earnestly repent. But, if you believe you can do evil and then repent later; that you actually connive to rebel against Christ in advance and then say the "Our Father" Prayer, you are gravely mistaken.
Aim to be the Honorable Son and give your life to God and serve his Son, Jesus Christ. Do not rely or trust on a Prodigal Redemption. Do not risk your soul intentionally, but choose to do what is "true and of worthy report." Yes, there is forgiveness if you stumble and if you fall like the Prodigal, but do not let that be you scapegoat or excuse to keep up a life of wickedness. Be quick to repent and return to your Father in Heaven. Do not tempt the Lord, by being complacent or lazy in turning from sin. For if the Master returns and finds you sinning without remorse and without repentance, you shall join the hypocrites in Hell. Do not make the Prodigal Story your insurance and security of salvation. Instead, look to the Honorable Brother and do not become envious of the Prodigal.
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