Which Brother Are You?..

 Which Brother Are You?..

Before you throw the next stone, stop! Think back to a time when you needed that same grace you're refusing to give. Sometimes so subtly, we get on the wrongside of a situation.  Like the Pharisees, we think we're doing good; when all we're being is self righteous. We need to try to remember to extend more grace to others, for freely we have received. God doesn't ask us to do anything to or for others that HE hasn't already done for us. If we truly appreciate HIS love towards us, HE commands us to go and do likewise. Give because we have received. Forgive because we've been forgiven. Restore, because we've been restored.

Luke 15 This is the story of a wealthy Jewish ruler who had two sons.  The younger requested his legacy from his father and went abroad.  He wasted his wealth and was soon without.  While being hired to feed pigs, he remembered his former rich lifestyle and decided to return home to his father's house to beg for forgiveness.  The other brother didn't leave.  He stayed home and worked for the father all the while. When he realized that his young brother had returned home, he was angry and unforgiving.  Rather, he condemned him, and refused to join his father in celebrating his brother's return.

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Matthew 18 It's the story of a king who forgave an enormous debt from one of his servants.  However, the same servant refused to forgive a much lesser debt from a friend. Matthew 20 Or the story of the hired servants who agreed to work for a particular wage.  But got angry at the landowner for deciding to pay other workers the same rate, even though they got hired much later.

God is God.  HE is not our equal. Whatever HE chooses to do with HIS resources is HIS priority. We are just one of HIS eons of resources.  HE created us.  HE does not require our counsel, nor does HE need it.

Job 42: 3

3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

All the father wanted was for HIS son to return home.  HE kept looking out for him at the watchpost. Even though HIS young son had done a foolish thing, the father did not hold it against him.  Neither was he angry when HIS eldest son condemned his brother.  HE just simply explained that HIS wealth was more than enough for both.  HE explained that the eldest son had nothing to worry about, and that the most important thing was that his younger brother was now back home.  He had a celebration because restoration was most important.  Both of HIS sons were home with HIM.

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What is your position? You can be in the right place with the wrong attitude. Do you think you're more entitled than others because of their type of sin?  Are you angry and bitter at others or at God for what others did?  Do you think that you're better than anyone?  Do you think you can earn your way into God's kingdom? Be very careful of pride. For we cannot save ourselves.  Salvation is a free gift from God to us. 

Ephesians 2: 8 - 9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

John 3:16 - 17 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Do you think you know what's best for your life? Have you taken the gifts and talents that God has given you and gone off to fulfill your own desires? Is God in agreement with how you are using the resources HE'S given to you? Are you living in HIS will, accomplishing HIS plans for your life? Are you being a good steward?The younger son was wrong for taking his wealth and leaving. But the older son was also wrong for thinking he had to earn his legacy.

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God's resources are free for all of HIS children.  The only qualification required is the choice to live in obedience to Christ. Romans 5 HIS death on the cross has restored our relationship with the Almighty God our Father.  Jesus' righteousness is what makes us able to claim access to God and what HE has to offer us. We're just not good enough to do it on our own. No one can work his/her way into the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  

The human soul is the most valuable thing on earth. It is very important that we realize that we cannot save ourselves.  We should be careful not to condemn others, nor ourselves when we do wrong.  Instead, we should look for opportunities to restore and be restored.  When you fall, get back up again. The angels celebrate for every new soul which chooses to follow Christ.  Let us try to be more like our Father God and focus on what matters:  

• HE kept looking out for the young son to return.
• HE was the one who saw him from a far way off.
• HE was the one who ran to HIS young son. 
• And when the older son wouldn't go in to be a part of the feast. HE was the one who went out and got HIM.  

HIS heart was full of compassion towards both of HIS sons. HE was just overjoyed that HE had them both together again with HIM. Everything ever created was made by God.  There is no lack in HIS presence. There's nothing that we can give to HIM that HE cannot create.  It is because of HIS love for us why we are and have anything. Know that whatever situation you find yourself in, you cannot save yourself. Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Instead of finding reasons to keep others away or personally staying away from the Father, come home.  Give restoration. Find restoration. Go inside! ALL God wants is for you to be home, near to HIM and HIS provision.  

WORSHIP: Charles Jenkins My God is Awesome

TESTIMONY: Iranian stabbed for sharing his faith, miraculously made it across the border without a passport!

Just Come Home!