Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 23:25-28, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 2:1-11, Romans 3:9-23
As a teenager I was a pretty lousy prodigal. The youngest of three daughters, I had the benefit of watching my sisters’ rebellious moments backfire, and so I learned quickly that the best way to stay in my parents’ good graces was to toe the line. Add to that the fact that we lived at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, surrounded by structure, discipline, and people who knew how to do things right. Early on, I decided I wanted to be like them. I applied that same logic to my young Christian faith, thinking that if I lived “rightly,” all my dreams would go just as I’d planned. I even claimed Scripture to back me up! (See Proverbs 16:3.) Instead, my self-righteousness grew like a cancer, slow and undetected, hidden by a life focused on pleasing others.
There is so much irony in self-righteousness because it is exactly the self-righteous who don’t think they have a problem. That’s why it can be a toxic sin, one that creeps into our lives without our awareness. Today, I find it most apparent in my marriage. When I’m having a bad day, God forbid my husband sneeze too loudly, miss a button on his shirt, or accidentally leave the stove on because I’m quick to point out or dwell on his minor flaws while ignoring the far bigger issue: my critical spirit.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother starts a long argument with his father. He was angry and, legally speaking, he probably had a valid case against his younger brother. But followed to the root, his anger was really deep-seated resentment. He tells his father, “I have been slaving many years for you” (Luke 15:29). His angry confession reveals that all along he’d felt bitter about the work his father had asked him to do. He mentions that he’d never had a party thrown in his honor. Deep down, he felt he deserved one, along with the accolades that would surely come with it.
Self-righteousness blocks our ability to find joy in the redemption of others. When I’m being self-righteous, I’m far better at calling other people names than I am at naming my own sin. Reading the parable of the prodigal son has never been fun for me because I know I’m the older brother—heart hardened and locked up tight—and I would much rather be the younger brother, who knows he’s in desperate need of forgiveness.
In church circles, people often talk about the father running out to meet his son. I’ve been taught that men in that culture didn’t run; they never picked up their robes, exposing their ankles. What the father did was unabashedly and radically loving. But something I’ve never noticed before was that he didn’t stop there—he didn’t just run out to greet the son who’d been lost and gone astray. The father also sought out his self-righteous son; he was aware that his eldest was missing from the party.
There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even for self-righteous people like me. Out of His abundant love, the Father comes after us too. There is room for all of us at His table.
Written by Claire Gibson
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107 thoughts on "Making Room for the Self-Righteous"
Wow! Convicted! “Self righteous blocks out ability to find joy in the redemption of others”
I believe help my unbelief. I pray that my heart will be humble. When I am not I pray God will quickly make me aware of the pride boiling up. These passages were so good for me this morning.
Please Lord, go after my daughter. She is so quick to point out a speck in others eyes when she has a log in her own!
I think I took away from this one that I am always going to have something in my life that is set there to DRIVE me to Jesus, the Word if God and His Holy Ghost. And because of that, this mouth has no right or business judging anyone else unless I am first making sure that the SAME standard I judge myself by is the one I am using for them. Period!
Amen! Sanctification!
Amen! I remember reading the book “The Prodigal God” by Tim Keller. It explored each character of the Parable of the Lost Son and like what we read on today’s testimony, we are mostly like the self-righteous older son. I love what Claire said that our self-righteousness hinders our joy in the redemption of others. ‘Oh how selfish of me!’ And yes, it is so hard to see how selfish we are but with God’s grace (and more grace) we can come to Him with all humility like the Father and welcome those who are repenting/coming back to the Lord! So help my God…
This is one of my favorite parables that Jesus told
Amen
Sisters, I’m “late to the table”, today but it’s a good thing. Having so many comments to read and Claire’s words, all I can add is a “me too”. I never looked at the story that way and it has made me introspective on my self-righteousness. I have some serious work to do. Thank you all for sharing. Prayers for healing and special needs of your families.
Focus on morality vs. expectation: “Self-righteous” highlights the individual’s conviction that their own actions and beliefs are morally superior, leading to a holier-than-thou attitude, while “entitled” focuses on the belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges without justification.
I’ve been in a challenging season where I’ve been acutely aware of the self-righteous attitudes around me. It has really annoyed me so much so that I started to bitterly look for it in those I listen to. In doing so I reversed the script and became self righteous about exposing the self righteous! How backwards and silly! I need the humility of Christ and the father in the story of the prodigal son, who acted in compassion towards BOTH sons.
I’m just going to say it: this study comes at a very busy time of year. There are a lot of demands put on us during the holidays; parties, family gatherings, everyone wants a donation, the big red kettle at every store ringing the bell reminding us that we should give. I’m overwhelmed already. And now this devotional is asking me to make more room. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea to make more room, but I find myself sighing a lot these days because of all the extra expectations put on me this time of year. I’m going to have to ask God to open my heart to what HE wants me to do, who HE wants me to reach out to, who HE wants me to make room for. Making room for more isn’t on my agenda right now. I’m trying to say “yes” less and be sure I’m only saying “yes” to the things God wants in my life. Maybe “making room” isn’t about doing or giving or stretching myself farther… maybe it’s about an attitude, a condition in my heart, a view point. Maybe it’s about making room for more peace and less judgment, maybe it’s about adding value not volume. More of God, less of me. I will be praying about what God wants me to learn from this study. Blessings on all of you.
Thanks for posting your thoughts. I’m in the headspace of making room for more of God and just listening to Him being in His presence while I stop babbling on. Stillness. Also wanting to allow Him to lead me in this study. I do pray for His guidance and strength during this season ❤️
I love your perspective, because I think we all feel this way this time of year. I think you also nailed it with the latter. It’s not about stretching ourselves thinner, but changing our attitude, heart, and view and making room for more peace and less judgment.
Thank you so much for saying this. I felt moved to reach out and let you know you are doing an amazing job. Blessings to you!
Every single day, we go from being the Older Brother to being the Younger Brother and back again. It seems as though there is no end to our struggles. But our hope is nailed on God’s kindness, restraint, patience — all these because Jesus made room for us.
In answering the question regarding welcoming the self-righteous, I struggled to initially identify what I would do or say, but further studying the words of the father and son in the prodigal passage, I saw a new nugget. The son who had not left refers to his brother as “this son of yours” to his father disengaging in relationship to his brother returning. But the beautiful thing the father responds with is, “this brother of yours“, re-establishing the relationship between his sons. We can, in our welcoming, help re-establish right relationship between others and ourselves when it involves another.
Great observation. Thank you
Oh my gosh!!! What a great insight!!!
Goodness gracious…this was convicting. I was once the prodigal, but I finally “got my life together” and started truly following Christ. After reading today’s devotion, I see that I have now turned into the older brother. Self-righteousness has crept in and I’ve forgotten where I was and how Jesus saved me. I have that “critical spirit” with my husband, others in the church who I feel should be doing more, Christian’s who I don’t think are living the life they should…forgive me, Father for my self righteousness and remove the critical spirit from me. Thank you Lord for conviction.
I could have written your exact words, LESLIE. ❤️
I was the younger son and the baby of the 3 in my family. I know that the two older felt resentment at one time. I had a bad tendency to do whatever I wanted. I was the wild child.
BUT GOD (Tina) brought me to my knees. I realized what had been missing in my life. A relationship with God. Knowing God was waiting for me with open arms brings so many emotions to the surface. What a loving Father we have.
As far as self-righteousness, I looked it up, wondering exactly the meaning. Well I’ve been and can be self-righteous. Oh I have so much to work on…
Amen, Jody…I hadn’t realized how comparison and self-righteousness leaves one lonely and critical. It’s eye opening to connect cause and effect.
“He was aware that his eldest son was missing from the table.” SO GOOD.
This scripture reminds me that I am no better than the people that are lost but by God’s grace I am saved
Today was a hard read for me. I have a hard time not participating in gossip and judgemental conversations, thinking “I don’t really mean it so it’s fine,” but why would I waste my words with something I don’t mean and where do they come from if I don’t mean it? When we don’t make room for the self-righteous we, in turn, become self-righteous.
@Laura. I so appreciate what you shared about your daughters. I’m so glad God has been answering prayers for reconciliation between your daughters. Warms my heart ❤️
Well, I always felt like I didn’t fit into this story. I was the little sister who learned from her big brother’s mistakes but when talking about a critical spirit, ouch, I see that I have developed one! Critical of my husband’s efforts in the kitchen, of people who don’t follow through on what they say they will do, critical of other drivers and I could list more! Thank God for studies like this to drop the “scales” from my eyes! Praying for forgiveness and to humble my self under God’s hand!
Thank you all tor what you shared! Thank you Claire for sharing your truth to open my eyes. Once again, God keeps working on us no matter how old we are if we keep “opening our Bibles.”
Claire’s message after the scripture readings opened my eyes to something I struggle with. I too am like the older brother. I’ve always been the glass child that no one had to worry about. May I work to let go of the resentment that has caused and realize that I am still worthy in my own way.
I really liked the added message about not being self-righteous. I think this is something I struggle with, having always been the “good kid”. I do think today’s message made me realize why the prodigal son story always rubbed me the wrong way, and has opened my eyes to something I need to work on.
The four middle passages are what stood out to me the most.
Make sure you are full heartedly following God, not being a casual or carnal Christian where you are only going through the motions.
Another thing that stuck out to me was a theme that keeps popping up at church and amongst our small group. Last study it was the topic of faith, today it is the topic of not judging or showing favoritism.
Backing up to the first passage on the prodigal son; the oldest son was bitter and held onto resentment at the fact that his brother “ran away” from home leaving him to do all the work at his father’s house by himself. Then when the prodigal came home, it wasn’t fair that he had a party thrown when he was the one not doing any of the work.
With that thought, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of how my children are often trying to make sure that their siblings are doing whatever it is I’ve asked them to do instead of focusing on what I’ve told them to do. I can definitely see how bitterness could creep up pretty quickly in the older brother.
I know I can be like the older brother. As the oldest in my family I am also a rule follower and find myself thinking that things are not fair when someone who isn’t following the rules gets rewarded with blessings I feel I deserve more than _________. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to see, through other family members, the lesson of what harboring bitterness in someone’s life can do. Through that lesson I grew up knowing that I never wanted to fall into a life of being bitter or resentful. There have been times when I’ve seen it pop up in my life and praise God, He has helped me work through those situations to forgive and not harbor bitterness or resentment.
God has a job for each of us to do, we need to focus on the job at hand and not the job that He has given others to do.
I too relate to the older brother. We had a situation in our family growing up where my older brother was a prodigal and caused great grief to my parents and they continued to enable his addictions and poor choices by giving him more and more money to try to “help” him, but it was only exacerbating the problem. I resented it as my other brother and I were doing the “right things” and watching all this play out. I so relate to the older brother’s feelings and still can fall into that trap now of being prideful, so this is a great reminder of how I need to remain humble, and repentant and to do so, I must stay close to the Father, asking him to change my heart, guard my heart and remove any prideful place in me.
I have been both the younger and the older brother. At a younger age, I was the prodigal who wandered. Yet as time passes and I’m re-established in my faith, I find myself being the older brother towards others. The whole time I was reading, I had someone in my head as the older brother and I kept having to ask God to clear my mind because the older brother is me! I’m still working on it, but I am hopeful the Lord will continue to soften my heart.
I have been and still can be both brothers. Family dynamics are so entrenched and complicated. Grateful for all of your vulnerability ladies. God bless you all, loving this study!!!
Like so many other sisters, I am afraid I am too often like the older brother. Lord, help me.
There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even for self-righteous people like me. Out of His abundant love, the Father comes after us too. There is room for all of us at His table.”
Well….ooofff and ouch. Critical spirit, self righteousness, rule follower, judgmental …not the list of characteristics I am proud of but in true reflection most certainly identify as such.
Thank you Jesus, that there is hope and help for a sinner like me. Forgive me Lord, do a work in my life, transform my heart and give me the eyes and heart to see, live and work through the tender, grace filled lense that you have for us all. Amen
Everyday I praise God that He sought after me – I was that “prodigal son”, the one who walked away from God to pursue the world. But God – He sought me, He never gave up, never ever and after years of running after me – I finally stopped, turned and ran into His arms. Best decision ever!!! Thank you Jesus!
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Happy, thankful Thursday ladies, love you all!! ❤️
Just thought of the hymn, Jesus is Tenderly Calling –
Jesus is tenderly calling you home—
Calling today, calling today,
Why from the sunshine of love will you roam
Farther and farther away?
Refrain:
Calling today, calling today,
Jesus is calling, is tenderly calling today.
Jesus is calling the weary to rest—
Calling today, calling today,
Bring Him your burden and you shall be blest;
He will not turn you away.
Jesus is waiting, oh, come to Him now—
Waiting today, waiting today,
Come with your sins, at His feet lowly bow;
Come, and no longer delay.
Jesus is pleading, oh, list to His voice:
Hear Him today, hear Him today,
They who believe on His name shall rejoice;
Quickly arise and away.
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And another great ‘invitational’ hymn –
The Savior is Waiting
I’m the prodigal daughter. I’m always thankful to my loving Father for opening His arms and receiving me back into the fold. I’ll never forget just how far off I wandered and the places I put myself in coming home (figuratively)filthy and smelling of the world I exposed myself to. That God would create in me a clean heart and renewed steadfast spirit-something I’m always asking for. The outside may look clean but inside a wreck! I’m always less concerned about what something or someone looks like on the outside. It’ll be good on the outside if it’s good on the inside. The basis of hospitality perhaps; to receive and share according to our walk with God. Our Fruit is for others to enjoy.
Kimberly, I was the prodigal too! The outside looks better and now I am working in the inside:)
What an encouragement it is to know that no matter how far we stray, as long as our heart returns to the Lord, He will receive us with open arms and He has no concern of any of my dirt getting his robe dirty!
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There is definitely another sermon in the older brother. Shades of Cain and Abel?
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Wiersbe has good notes on judgment:
Matthew 7:1,2 –
“The first principle of judgment is that we begin with ourselves. Jesus did not forbid us to judge others, for careful discrimination is essential in the Christian life. Christian love is not blind (Phil. 1:9, 10). The person who believes all that he or she hears and who accepts everyone who claims to be spiritual will experience confusion and great spiritual loss. But before we judge others, we must consider ourselves.”
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Matt. 7:4 –
“The purpose of self-evaluation is to prepare us to serve others. Christians are obligated to help each other grow in grace. When we do not judge ourselves, we hurt ourselves and those to whom we could minister. The Pharisees judged and criticized others to make themselves look good (Luke 18:9–14).”
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Matt. 7:5 –
“… If we do not honestly face up to our own sins and confess them, we blind ourselves to our faults; then we cannot see clearly enough to help others. The Pharisees saw the sins of other people, but they would not look at their own sins.”•
This is a heavy lesson! May I heed the Spirit’s nudging to keep my heart aligned with the Gospel.
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MERCY – Praying your surgery goes well today with no surprises and that healing will come quickly! More on yesterday’s comments! Love you! ❤
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LINDA IN NC – praying you and Gene can get some good rest after that procedure yesterday! ❤ Love you!
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LYNNE (Alabama) – hugs and prayers, sister! Love you! ❤
Hadn’t thought about a relation to Cain & Abel…
The Compassionate Father! I know the focus is self righteousness but thank God for the compassionate Father. When this passage is taught we spend a lot of time discussing the sons. Praise God that he is a compassionate Father! One commentary I read said the Father was waiting in expectation for the prodigal to return home, looking out daily watching for him! I love the role of the Compassionate Father who is God in this story and He is waiting and watching for us to come back to Him where we belong.
Praise report: I had prayed for finances for some very expensive dental work I needed done. I did not have all the money to hand him up front. I was scared to get one of those Credit Care cards because there is no interest and if you miss one payment or if you are late you have to pay all the back interest. I event went to the bank and considered taking out a loan.
God prompted me to go to the dentist and he (the dentist) offered to just do monthly payments! I did not want to ask because many dental offices want cash upfront or credit. The financial person spoke with the dentist and she came back and said, ” We don’t offer this to everyone but we can just allow you to make monthly payments to the office.”
I stand in awe of God! Thank you She’s for praying
Praise God – He is so awesome! ❤️
Praise the Lord for the favor granted to you!
Good is so good!
There is room for all of us at His table. I need to hear this, this morning. It brought me to tears. Thank you Jesus accepting me (us) right where we are. I don’t have to bring anything, but myself and My Jesus accepts me, HE sought me out! HE wishes NO ONE to perish without HIM. Towards the latter part of my day, a young and VERY beautiful para comes to relieve me for my last 10 minute break. She’s not only gorgeous on the outside, but also on the inside and our kiddos LOVE her! Not sure if she’s a believer, but a few weeks ago, I felt compelled to tell her a short version of my story. Yesterday, I was telling her not to give up on going back to school so she doesn’t end up like me 57 years-old, no career, but I do LOVE my job. Her response was the sweetest! ALL GLORY TO JESUS! She said, my story helped her make a wise decision about a current relationship and was thankful I had shared it. AND that she looks up to me for being strong enough to leave an unhealthy marriage. Oh….I was brought to tears, we hugged, and oh thank you Jesus! My Jesus gets ALL the glory! She’s SO beautiful please pray for “A”
Praying for “A” ❤️
Yep, I am also the older brother. Yikes! I agree with your prayer Aimee D-R
GM!
This parable is a well-known one by all Christians! But yet, with the devotional and all your comments, it isn’t stale, it is fresh again! Someone commented that when we are away from God, like either son, that is when we are in trouble. Let”s look at the Father! Lovingly accepting both sons, trying not to play favorites (although it seems like it!) he loves them both. As Laura used her example as well, as a mom, her love for both her daughters (and throw a son in there too!).
God is working in every heart. And as a Father, God is shining on the proud, the weak, the far away, and the seemingly close. The Pharisees and the Sadducees and the people. The Pauls and the Christians. The blind and deaf, yet those that can see and hear are still in need of healing.
No one has arrived. We are all works in progress. We are called to be Holy as he is Holy. So we ask for conviction and a humble, pliable heart. Daily. Lord, help me. I need thee, every hour…I need thee. Let the Holy Spirit be greater in me than myself, because I am a wretched sinner that needs You Lord. Thank you Lord.
We discussed the Giant of bitterness yesterday. How an offense without forgiveness makes us bitter. Did the older brother forgive his brother and his father. Or did his jealous, mad attitude fester into bitterness and destroy his life? Maybe he became the drunk, hiding his pain, lashing out, intolerable person after? Something to think about.
I’ve heard this story countless times, but God always has something new to teach me. I
For the first time I saw that when the Prodigal arrived home with his prepared speech the Father didn’t want to hear it. How many times do I come to God with my often repeated times when I have let Him down? I keep trying to dredge up the past and reminding God of how I have let Him down. He doesn’t want to hear it. He is so happy that I have come home and He wants to celebrate and enjoy our being together.
Likewise, I tend to remember how others have let me down. I may remind them or just keep reminding myself of how they have hurt me. May I be like the Father and just enjoy being with them, loving them and enjoy being together.
Great insight Bessie about we dredge up the past but God just wants to welcome us!
Amen! I, too, am guilty of self-righteousness. There is nothing that I can do to be saved, except through Jesus. May God forgive me for my sins.
Right? I always felt sorry for the older brother! It’s because I AM him many times!! I want recognition!
You would think the title of this devotion would be “Making room for the sinner.”
BUT GOD (as Tina says) also points this parable to the self righteous-like me! How could I have read that parable a 100 times and not of seen it?
God, forgive me. Help me to remove my own fault finding, self righteous plank, especially in my marriage.
I had not noticed how the father “ran” to his elder son either. I’m an elder brother too. I so appreciate how the Father finds us and loves us, despite our sin. I have struggled a lot with comparison and self-righteousness. It has left me lonely and critical. God, please help me to receive your love, to let it transform me and to offer it to others as extravagantly as you have given it to me.
Amen, Jody…I hadn’t realized how comparison and self-righteousness leaves one lonely and critical. It’s eye opening to connect cause and effect.
Thanks, Claire… “There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even for self-righteous people like me. Out of His abundant love, the Father comes after us too. There is room for all of us at His table.“ How Blessed we are in Christ! ♥️
I am reminded of my son’s friend when at school. Sam was always good, well behaved, quiet and cooperative. But one day he went home to his mum and complained. When the bad boys do something good they get rewarded with a sticker, even when they’re usually always naughty. I’m always trying to be good and never get into trouble but I never get a sticker.
The parable of the lost son is Jesus illustrating God’s great mercy when we repent of our sin and how we should share in God’s rejoicing of that. I think it also tells us how we can be tripped up by our sense of fairness. In the eldest son I hear cries of it’s not fair.
Does my own sense of fairness cause me to inadvertently judge others?
Does my sense of fairness tip me into pride?
Does my sense of fairness blinker me to what else might be going on?
Sam, I hear you!
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But is it wrong to ‘want the sticker’ which is really asking to be seen, acknowledged, and loved?. Having not received the ‘sticker’ led me to believe I was not worthy, that nothing I did was good enough, or that my participation in this ‘game’ did not matter.
Today’s devotion was a flashback to my life before I was a believer. When I was an unbeliever, I struggled deeply with the idea of following Jesus. I had seen historic and modern examples of people using Christianity for harmful actions, such as the Westboro Baptist Church’s hateful protests and scandals of abuse within some religious institutions. These acts, driven by self-righteousness, seemed to contradict the teachings of a God who embodies love and justice. I also argued with my mom, convinced it was conceited for her Jesus to claim He was the only way to salvation. (Please forgive me, Jesus. How ignorant I was).
But now, I understand how wrong I was. Those harmful actions are far from what Jesus intended for His followers. Self-righteousness blinds us to our own need for grace and this is when we can fall trap to distorting the gospel, turning it into something to inflict pain (even if we don’t realize it) rather than a message of hope. I admit that I can sometimes fall into self-righteousness, especially when I judge how others “do Jesus.” However, I trust that the Spirit is always there to gently tap me on the shoulder and remind me of my own sin. He calls us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and walk humbly with God—not to elevate ourselves or use faith as a tool for harm.
Thank you Maria for putting my thoughts into words.
For years as a kid, I always thought about the younger brother being the main point of the story. I can now relate so much to the older brother in the story and it’s funny that so many of us can relate to the older brother. Lord, help me to be humble, to know that I am a sinner too, and to pray fervently for those who are lost. Help me not to be critical of others especially my own family but to present Your truths in a loving way to them.
This is my favorite parable…I was the prodigal daughter. I wasted years not following Jesus, I was saved but ran off because I was angry with God. Little did I know then but see it clearly now…He still protected me and loved me and ran to meet me and welcomed me home. Phew. Just remembering all of this again, wow….I’m in tears. Thank You Jesus for paying for it all…and bringing me, even me, in!
Erica, my story is similar to yours. I grew up going to church and as soon as I was on my own, distanced myself from it. But looking back, I know that God was with me. It is the only explanation of how I was not harmed in certain situations my rebellion put me in.
I have been both sons, and I think that it maybe commonplace for our fickle hearts to move between the dynamics of the sons. I was raised in the church but when I graduated from highschool and college without many friends and without ever having a boyfriend. I grew impatient. I was young and desperate to find love and friendship. I saw coworkers that seemed so happy and their lives seem so joyful and I was lonely and depressed and thought God had forgotten about me. So I became as the son who felt like he work hard and deserved something and grew bitter. Then I became the son that took my inheritance and squandered it thinking I knew better. I believe the most valuable thing I have learned from my experience and this story that Jesus tells us is where am I in proximity to the Father. Because anytime I get to far from Him I fall into one of the sons categories, those categories are my true fallen nature. I must stay in relationship with the Father to see truth.
Oh ladies, I feel seen by all of you who also admit to being the older brother. This story always upset me until we studied it previously and I realized the older brother is self-righteous. It’s so easy to gloss over or ignore my own sin. I pray my eyes are opened up more to see my self-righteousness and pride.
Ladies please pray with me, one for the prodigal in my family. Also, yesterday I began to become concerned about a lump forming close to my incision sight from my recent biopsy. I called the nurse line, but now I’m more concerned due what I’m seeing and will calling them back.
Praying for peace of mind as you wait
Praying for you Danielle.
Oh, Danielle, praying for peace in your heart and mind as you wait and praying the nurse will get back to you quickly and that the answer is encouraging. ❤
Praying for peace and courage in your heart and that this is just a hiccup in the healing and of no consequence.
❤️❤️
Praying gorvyou
Praying for you ❤️
“Room for all of us at his table.” ❤️ a great reminder.
Father forgive my critical spirit. Soften my heart. Thank you for Your never ending grace and mercy and love. In Jesus name, Amen
Amen! ❤
This story always gets me in so many ways. Like the author, I too had to wrestle with my “older brother” tendencies and come to grips with my judgmental habits. Being the “good girl” and always “towing the line” can get to your head and I also saw this part of myself most clearly after I was married. It took some buffing and hard times and low points for me to see my own heart.
The other reason this story is so dear to me is because as you know, we have our own prodigal story playing out in our family right now. Our youngest daughter, who was estranged from us for 7 years, is home. So many people prayed for this moment, across the world really, for this miracle. And I praise God for it every day. There has been a posture of humility in her that we have never seen, and to the best of our ability, we have opened up our arms to her and just shown unconditional love. The hatred and disdain for us that she once spewed, it is completely gone. We pray daily for her heart to be turned to the Lord. But we see an openness there that has never been there before. And we are waiting on the Lord for the next miracle in her life.
But for so long I also prayed for our oldest daughter, who very easily could have been the oldest son. She never left. She did the right things. She endured a lot of abuse and hatred from her sister which was unprovoked and undeserved. Milestone events in her life will always be tainted with the absence of her sister. I prayed for her heart to soften towards her sister. She believes in Jesus, but she was mad and bitter and as we prayed and hoped for our youngest to return, our oldest held onto her bitterness.
First miracle, our youngest reached out to me on my birthday, after 7 years of silence. Second miracle, she reached out to her big sister and asked to see her niece whom she had not yet met. And there has been reconciliation. The youngest asked for forgiveness from her sis. Big sis gave it freely and they are finally getting to have the relationship that I have always wanted for them.
God is good. All the time. Don’t give up on your prodigals. Keep praying.
God IS SO good! ❤️
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I am so thrilled seeing this play out for you, and seeing prayers answered!!! Such a testimony for all of us, and we know your mother’s heart was hurting so much and you shared it with us to pray with you! That vulnerability, I’m sure God honored that and helped you grow!
Agree with you, Rhonda! ❤ What a blessing and encouragement, Laura! What an honor to join you in prayer! ❤
Wow praise the Lord!! What a powerful testimony. I’m so happy for your family and my heart breaks for what you went through.
What a beautiful story of answered prayer, healing and redemption. Praise the Lord! May His good work continue
Praise God! What a testimony. Continuing to pray for your daughter to fully return to the Lord!
This brought me to tears.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs to you
AMEN!!
Thank you Lord for this sweet family’s forgiveness!
Thank you for sharing, Laura! It’s the encouragement I needed as I continue to pray for my prodigal sons.
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Thank you Lord for answering prayers and this reconciliation. ❤️
Claire, Thank you for being open and sharing with us. Reading your story finally allowed me to realize I too am the older brother. I have asked God to forgive me. Now I have to learn to hear and see through His ears and eyes and not my own.
“Self-righteousness blocks our ability to find joy in the redemption of others.”
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So very true, Claire. Thank you.
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Yup, I’m the older brother, for sure! I’m very much a “rule-follower” and easily fall into the self-righteous gutter when “non-rule-followers” get recognition and rewarded. Where is the fairness in that, right?
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BUT GOD…
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Thankful God is not done with me yet and has made room for me to grow and change.
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MERCY – prayers for your eye surgery today. May the Lord bless you with His peace and a quick recovery.
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LINDA IN NC – praying Gene’s procedure went smoothly yesterday.
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ALEIDA P. – continuing to pray the Victor is getting the help he needs and finds work and a place to live.
Same.
The eventual humility of the younger son is, well, humbling. Taking what he had been given and squandering it recklessly, then finally coming to his senses when he was down to nothing – taking hat in hand, so to speak, as he headed back to his father’s house to admit his foolishness and wrongness. How many times have I gone my own way, ignoring God’s guidance or never asking for it … and then finding myself humbly asking the Lord for forgiveness, and guidance to show me the best way out of the mess I’ve made?
And I wrangle with and pray about self righteousness on a regular basis, tamping down that knee jerk reaction that I know better.
Well said, Searching. There are many ways & times & circumstances & conditions whereby we act or react “prodigally”.
Thank you, Jesus for making room for me. Amen
Amen
I asked Google what self righteousness means..
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Ready?
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Self-righteousness (also called sanctimony, sententiousness, and holier-than-thou attitudes)[1][2] is an attitude and belief of moral superiority derived from a person deeming their own beliefs, actions, or affiliations to be of greater virtue than those of others.[3] Self-righteous individuals are often intolerant of the opinions and behaviors of others that they deem to be less virtuous.[4]
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OUCH!
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I think, sometimes we get carried away with our ‘God work’ that we believe we are of ‘the chosen, can do no wrong’ variety.. Because we walk with the Lord, we are exempt from judgement in our holier-than-though attitude!
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Wake up call right there..
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Remove the beam of wood from your eye, as opposed to the splinter in another’s!
Yet another OUCH!
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There is nothing wrong with doing God’s work humbly and for the Lord, far from it, it’s when it becomes ‘I rank better..’ that’s when life takes a turn quietly towards disaster!
I believe though, that the humble walk with our Father God, steadies us, not going too far ahead of ourselves, and as Micah 6:8 says, to live life justly, love mercifully and to walk humbly with our God..
It is so easy to go about believing thst because I/we have God, we have some sort of superiority..immunity,
The journey, as I am understanding it, is putting others first, listening to them and hearing them without judgement and superiority, no matter who they are or their language, style, colour, position in life.
Funny thing is, here on earth it may mean something, but in Eternity that’s another thing.. The Lords prayer says ” thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..”
We may not get it right all the time, this side of heaven, but by golly it sure is worth trying as we move towards our Father God and our forever home, and the joy of Eternity..
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN..
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I know it’s not a worship song, but that pop song of old by Johnny Nash… I can see clearly now, just came to mind..
Rejigging the words a tad..
I can see clearly now the ‘plank’ has gone, I can see all the obstacles in my way, gone are the dark clouds that had me blind..
It’s gonna be a bright bright sunshiny day..
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Prayerful your day, dear hearts, is a sunshiny one, and that we walk our path humbly, in mercy and with our Father God who makes room for us at His table..
Much love.. and prayers..
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Tina.❤️
Like Claire, I have always identified with the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. So appreciated her pointing out that the Father also sought this son after noticing he was not at the party. The Holy Spirit is lightening fast at pointing out where I’m condemning others for the very things I do. Praying I will be just as quick to repent!
Amen Tina!
Love this, TINA! ❤️
Amen Tina!❤️
Amen!
Ouch, indeed!
“…sometimes we get carried away with our ‘God work’ that we believe we are of ‘the chosen, can do no wrong’ variety.. Because we walk with the Lord, we are exempt from judgement in our holier-than-though attitude…”
I get this, Tina & need to warn myself of this “stinking thinking”. By faith, we are ALL made righteous. Consider myself no more worthy or privileged than the rest.
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