the prodigal god.

have you ever thought of God as prodigal? i certainly haven't, but maybe that's because i've had the wrong definition of prodigal. according to the dictionary, prodigal = "recklessly extravagant; having spent everything." as keller explains in the introduction, Jesus told this parable to show us "the God of Great Expenditure, who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, his children. God's reckless grace is our greatest hope, a life-changing experience, and the subject of this book." incredible, right?

in this book, keller walks through one of my favorite parables Jesus ever told, yet he explains it in a way i've never really heard before. it's typically referred to as "the parable of the prodigal son," and the way we usually think about it goes something like this -- the younger brother asked for his inheritance early, went off and wasted all of it, ended up coming home super remorseful, then the father forgave him and welcomed him back. but what about the older brother? -- he stayed home and did everything the father wanted, then was angry when the father welcomed the younger brother back -- what about him?

keller explains that both sons are lost. both sons wanted the father's things for their own self-centered ends rather than wanting to love, enjoy, and serve the father for his own sake. the younger brother wanted his inheritance so he could go off on a wayward adventure of self-discovery, and the older brother wanted to prove his impeccable morality so one day he could receive the inheritance he was due. both were in the wrong, and both represent ways we live in sin today. keller writes, "Sin is not just breaking the rules, it is putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge just as each son sought to displace the authority of the father in his own life."

it is outrageous how incredibly similar i am to the older brother in this story. in one chapter, keller lists common qualities of an older brother mentality, and i literally could check off every single one in my life. yikes! i might never consciously think, "if i do all the right things, i'll please God and he'll make my life go well." i must think it subconsciously though, because when my life doesn't play out the way i think it should, i tend to point my finger at God and wonder why he would let this happen to someone who has done everything she can to please him. what is that?! why do i think my good works entitle me to a carefree life?? why do i think i can control God if i do what he says?? why am i trying to function as my own savior?!

the best part of the story is when the father goes out to invite both sons into the celebration feast. the younger brother knew he was alienated from the father, and before he could even apologize, the father started partying. on the other hand, the older brother had no idea he was alienated from the father, and when the parable ends, we're left wondering if the older brother would join the party or not! as keller explains, "The prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it." it sounds so simple, but if you're functioning as your own savior, you don't recognize your need for one. likewise, if you don't understand the depth of your sin -- even if (especially if?) your sin is the wrong motivation for doing the right thing -- then you don't understand the depth of God's grace for you.

think on this: "Religion operates on the principle of 'I obey -- therefore I am accepted by God.' The basic operating principle of the gospel is 'I am accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ -- therefore I obey.'" how are you operating??