THE PRODIGAL GOD – CHAPTER FOUR
September 29th, 2009 by Todd JohnsonRedefining Lostness
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in.”
Elder brothers believe that if they live a good life they should get a good life. I have a feeling we are all a little elder brotherish in this respect. As Keller states on page 57, “the older brother boasts of his obedience to his father, but lets his underlying motivation and attitude slip out when he says, “All these years I’ve been slaving for you.’”. God must surely owe him something, right?!
Another great chapter to read and discuss.
I really enjoyed the great comments made last week, and I’m looking forward to more.
As I read chapter 4 I saw a description of my son. When he was in high school, I often tried to encourage him to make friends with the kids in the youth group. He would say to me,”Mom if you knew what some of those kids were really like you’d not want me around them.” Just like in the book, my son left for the big city and found some “nice” friends. He left his faith as well. He left the “good” kids who weren’t nice for some “nice” kids who aren’t good. It breaks my heart. I wish I could have a do-over with him because I know that my own judgmental attitudes were part of what he fled from.
Father, forgive me when my elder-brother attitudes not only separate me from You, but chase others away as well.
Terriann said,
“Father, forgive me when my elder-brother attitudes not only separate me from You, but chase others away as well.”
Thank you Terriann…convicting.
Terriann,
Very powerful and vulnerable post. God can give grace. Even God’s first creation Adam listened to his wife instead of Him. Children will rebel from both a judgemental parent as well as a very loving parent. You could not have been worse than my very judgemental Dad and God softened my heart to recognize the baggage he was transfering to me from his past. What a miracle occurred in my heart when I stopped blaming him for all my growing up problems.
Terriann, that is really touching to hear (err, read).
I consider myself a recovering “younger-brother” and I fled from christianity because of the elder-brother attitude in my home. But, even through my rebellion, there was still that whisper of conviction…because I had been shown the Truth in my childhood, even if it wasn’t in a perfect way or example. (Is there really such thing as a perfect parent anyway?) Don’t lose hope, and don’t stop praying for him.
I am now a mother to young children and if you figure out what you’d do in your “do-over”, I open to tips!
Dear Terriann,I ditto your prayer. Thank you for sharing it.
Chapter 4:
This is a rich chapter that deserves a second read to that I can fully digest its depth. I see my thought life so clearly tied to the “elder brother” path. I am thankful for Mr. Keller’s revelation on this subject and look forward to his teaching on what is true. I was surprised to read that this type of spiritual life does not only exist in the legalistic church of my youth, but is common to any Christian walk of faith.
One of my focus passages in the last couple of years has been from Psalm 24: 3-4: “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” These passages caused me to look at the motive of my heart and to consider reasons behind my actions. I have found in my heart as Mr. Keller calls it,“pathological moralism and religiosity” with degrees of self-gratification behind the actions. I long to ascend the hill of the Lord and I have been praying for clean hands and a pure heart. God is good to answer in many ways and Mr. Keller is one of the answers to this prayer.
Shauna, you didn’t ask for tips from me, but I made so many mistakes that I’d like to warn others; Keep your parenting Gospel-centered. I was really into producing good fruit in my kids, but over-looked reminding them of why we do. A great parenting book which addresses this is “Shepherding a Child’s Heart”. This and “Withhold Not Correction” are two that are filled with biblical wisdom.
Sorry to change topic. Let’s get back to “Prodigal”.
I don’t know how you all felt about reading this chp., but I had to read it several times, to really have a long look at myself. Often thinking I’m really not like either of them NOW!! Am I an elder or younger brother? During my life time both, many times over. My dear mother’s long illness, sent me to: Why are you doing this to my darling mom? But, it was really, why are you doing this to ME? My twin brothers death: well… here we go again! Divorce sent to into a whirl wind, which took me several years to get back on track. The Holy Spirit brought me back, big time.!!!!
I was a Christian all this time. HA Now, I have really learned to look at Jesus. (it is TRULY a moment by moment thing)
If I am truthful to myself and you, at times there is still a little bit of the elder and younger brother in me.
Lord forgive me, as I have sinned, help me to be strong in YOU.
Blessings…
TW – right on! This walk truly is moment by moment, isn’t it? Some moments more aware than others.
Frank – that baggage transfer – so true – totally helped me this morning! Thanks for showing your heart. Now get back to your painting!
It is such a comfort to come to the blog, read everyone’s entries and get a sense that we are not alone. When I read what’s written here it’s like we’re exploring a big dark castle together and can hear each other calling out encouragement as we examine the rooms with our little flashlights.
Crabbie, I like the castle picture. I,ve been in both the high tower, (elder brother) looking down on everyone with a superior attitude caused by my pride in obedience and the dungeon, (younger brother) groveling in condemnation, guilt, self pity over a ruined life. I,ve walked the cold stone hallways asking, shouting, IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? HOW DO I LIVE THIS LIFE? CAN I EVER BE FREE? It’s the irresistible minimum that tugs against the unattainable maximum. Over the years i’ve felt like Dr. Who floating endlessly between where I’m at and where I think I need to be. Relationship not religion is what elder brother is missing. When he discovers that he who is forgiven much loves much then hopfully he will be set free into a heart of acceptence and forgiveness.
The part of this chapter that really spoke to me is when Keller was talking about how people obey on a base of fear. Like, when Christians obey just because they don’t want to go to hell….I know that was/is a main focal point for me, but I am missing the joy that God intended for me to feel when I love and serve others. I need to work on that.
I was reading in The Daily Walk Bible and the following statement and in the Mathew passage it says so much of what we have been reading.”God sent a Savior as a gift for the godless–not a reward for the righteous” and in the Living translation Mathew3:7-9a But when he saw many Pharisees coming to be baptized, he denounced them “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment?” Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from you sins and turned to God. Don’t just say We’re safe-we’re descendants of Abraham.
I was thinking of my own salvation and I was so much the elder brother and felt I was a good person and had my faith. The way the Holy Spirit worked in my heart was not of sin but a really emptiness, a yearning to know my God. That was only filled with my accepting Jesus as my Savior and coming to know my righteousness is as filthy rags. I can honestly say, as I spent time in the Word and prayer I am more convicted of my sinful nature more than I ever have. My biggest sin is pride and self and I continue to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this to me every day.