Have you ever imagined how the story of the Prodigal Son would look in many of today’s churches? I can just picture the father as he sees his long lost son walking up the driveway. Tears would be streaming down his face as he rushes out to his son, sneaks him in the back door, scolds him ruining the family’s reputation, rushes him into the shower and dresses him in trendy clothes, before presenting him to the public as a changed and repentant man. Naturally, he would keep a close eye on him for several months to make sure that he was truly sorry. He would deny him any privileges until he had proven himself worthy, and eventually he may celebrate his son's return by welcoming him back into the family. From thereon after his shameful story would be told whenever someone else considered straying from the flock.
Okay, so my Prodigal Son story is a little cynical, but sadly, this is the version of the story I have seen repeatedly in churches. Modern day forgiveness seems to be conditional. I understand that if someone hurts you then you should take certain precautions to protect yourself from being hurt again, but Jesus didn’t live that way. His love and forgiveness extended unconditionally, even to those who nailed him to the cross. There was no criteria people had to meet to receive his grace and forgiveness. Sinners didn’t have to clean themselves up and make themselves presentable before he would welcome them. He accepted them how they were – dirty, crushed, ashamed, broken. He told many people to go and sin no more, but he didn’t withhold himself from these people until they had the chance to prove themselves worthy. He didn’t watch to see if they sinned again and then withdraw his grace from their lives. His love was theirs no matter what, and his forgiveness was unconditional.
I have been hurt by the church in the past, as have many others. I once lost a very close girlfriend who was in church leadership, due to some gossip that circulated around the church. Even though I was not responsible for the situation that arose, I sent her a letter apologising for anything I said or did that may have hurt her. Sadly, I never heard a word from her again. I have heard this same story from many other walking wounded Christians. If Christians can’t forgive their own brothers and sisters for petty little issues, how on earth can we welcome really unclean people into our lives?
It is time we Christians rise up and show the world the true Prodigal Son story, and display in our lives the true meaning of forgiveness and grace.
This blog is about a young woman who has grown up in a "church" environment but is only just starting to grasp the real meaning of being a follower of Jesus. I am wife to an amazing husband, a mother to two beautiful children, and a woman trying to find her purpose in a world full of hopelessness. Location: Leongatha, Australia
4 comments:
Hey, Don't remember how I got here the first time. But, I read this post and wrote something like what you are talking about here. What would Jesus do in a situation that the church of today would run into. What would they do about it, and what would Jesus do. If you want to check it out, it is on my main page right now.
Thanks for your comments Nate. I have read your blog and loved it! Look forward to reading more. Lee
What you say may be true, I do not know. It is how you experienced it anyway. I have often seen the opposite. A family member or a friend who treats his or her spouse, child or friend shabbily, who manipulates, uses and hurts them. Then, every so often, apologizes (usually through tears) but then, after the "reconciliation", goes right back to the same old behavior.
And the family member or friend stays in this relationship for years, sometimes forever, thinking "You have to forgive." Forgive what? The unrepentant? Forgive those not making any meaningful effort at change in their bad behavior? Allow them to continue using, lying, hurting you and maybe others? What good is that for them or you? Maybe forgiveness is necessary, so as not to trap yourself in thoughts of anger, hatred or vengeance, but at a safe distance. Get that person out of your life! Otherwise you're mistaking perpetual victimhood for Christianity. Enabling the perpetrator to continue in their bad behavior is not my idea of Christian charity or forgiveness. It just empowers evil, and ruins lives.
Just because you forgive someone unconditionally does not mean that you immediately have to trust them again. Jesus forgives the repentant, but this particular parable does not make mention of how the father trusted him. Trust can take some time to build back. At any rate, thanks for your comments! :)
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