Thinking I was going to put the subject of this blog (importance of dads and the ultimate Daddy in heaven) out next week, I had it set on my mind to put this particular blog out Friday, 6/15/19, for Father’s Day. Yet that is not what the Holy Spirit wanted me to do. Maybe, for someone who reads or listens to this particular post, perhaps it will touch them into action and do what the Holy Spirit says. On with the title of this message called, #dadvice.
Now, I am going to use a fictitious story from Jesus Christ known as a parable. It is the purpose of Jesus Christ’s parables to teach truth on a certain aspect of life. This following parable is a different take on the Prodigal son; it is the power of forgiving love of a dad by accepting #dadvice, instead of the wasteful spending of a son to try and live out his fantasies. So, let us get on with the parable.
The parable of the Prodigal Son, as most Christians know it, is found in Luke 15:11-32. In this case, the son gives the word “PRODIGAL,” as it. means recklessly spendthrift or the one who spends or gives lavishly or foolishly (Merriam-Webster). Now, just about all Christians have heard of the fictitious although ever true story of the “PRODIGAL” son found in Luke 15:11-32. What was made “new” to me was the story is of forgiving dad that never occurred to me before; that forgiving love that has no limits on forgiving, especially when it comes to finances. And a reckless younger brother who will test the limits of his dad’s forgiveness, while the older brother stays at home fulfilling his dad’s requests but seemingly holding a grudge against his little brother.
Just imagine, you as the older brother or sister has to put up with the complaining of the work your younger brother. With the same ears that put up with the complaining, you are hearing of the dreams you could do with your portion of the land that will turn into money, until one day your younger brother has the audacity to ask for his inheritance early. Although no such thing is written in the Bible, I am positive that the dad in this story had given his two sons advice on how they should live, how they should spend their money and all of that a good father gives his children. I can see him tailoring each advice to each of his children like a tailor tailors clothes. Let me break it down for you as I am going to use one of the simplest but accurate translations I know of, the New Century Version (my reason for using this translation is because of Jesus using children who have a ton more innocence about them “to believe” {Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17}). (As a side note, I try to use the most accurate but simplest translation I can find).
Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Give me my share of the property.’ So the father divided the property between his two sons. Then the younger son gathered up all that was his and traveled far away to another country. There he wasted his money in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a time came when there was no food anywhere in the country, and the son was poor and hungry. So he got a job with one of the citizens there who sent the son into the fields to feed pigs. The son was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he realized what he was doing, he thought, ‘All of my father’s servants have plenty of food. But I am here, almost dying with hunger. I will leave and return to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son, but let me be like one of your servants.”’ So the son left and went to his father.
“While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for his son. So the father ran to him and hugged and kissed him. The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get our fat calf and kill it so we can have a feast and celebrate. My son was dead, but now he is alive again.
“The older son was in the field, and as he came closer to the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. So he called to one of the servants and asked what all this meant. The servant said, ‘Your brother has come back, and your father killed the fat calf, because your brother came home safely.’ The older son was angry and would not go in to the feast. So his father went out and begged him to come in. But the older son said to his father, ‘I have served you like a slave for many years and have always obeyed your commands. But you never gave me even a young goat to have at a feast with my friends. But your other son, who wasted all your money on prostitutes, comes home, and you kill the fat calf for him!’ The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. We had to celebrate and be happy because your brother was dead, but now he is alive. He was lost, but now he is found.’” (Luke 15:11-32)
Even though I wish Jesus would have given us more of the background behind these two sons, that is all that is written down in Scripture. And as much as I purpose it in my heart, Jesus Christ didn’t give us more of the background which I so desperately want, which goes to prove that many aspects could be taken from this fictitious but nevertheless true story. You could take the part of the foolish younger son who wasted his part of the inheritance, or you could take the part of the seemingly to be more justified, older brother. However, for this I want to concentrate on #dadvice.
See, what is not written here is the prior #dadvice that seemingly gave the two boys while they were growing up. According to the text of Scripture, the older brother followed the #dadvice while the younger brother did not, going to spend the money he got from selling his portion of the property to the highest bidder and wasting it on prostitutes. Hmm. Just think. I would feel a tad jealous (even a bit of righteous indignation) if all I did was everything to please dad, and dear old dad throws a party for your brother who has come back to his father’s house?! Wouldn’t you?!
According to our justice of right and wrong, it just isn’t right. But see,
The Lord says, “My thoughts are not as your thoughts. Your ways are not like My ways. (Isaiah 55:8 NCV)
Even though our dads possibly have a bit antiquated view of things in our eyes, it is apparent that due to this true yet fictitious story as stated above, the power of a forgiving dad has and to follow what #dadvice in your future endeavors, especially the Almighty Daddy. So, has my little blog started something new, something that will have you to start and go back to Coming Back To #Dadvice…? If so, please comment. 😇
~Darren
* administrator/only blogger for http://www.TrueLifeChristianity.com 😇
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