Today, I want us to take a fresh look at a familiar passage for those who have either grown up in church or have been in the Word for some time. In Luke chapter 15, we find the story that many have called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but it tells the story of 2 Prodigal Sons. The younger son becomes a prodigal because he takes his part of the inheritance, runs away, and wastes it. The older son becomes a prodigal by missing out on the blessing of the younger son’s return.
It is a story of worlds that collide. It is the world of Self-Desire and Self-Righteousness vs. the world of Redemption and Relationship. It is a parable that I believe helps us better understand the world we live in and the world that is truly colliding with the Kingdom of God.
R.C. Sproul, in his book “When Worlds Collide,” writes these words: “When we talk about the conflict of ideas, we are describing a collision between worldviews. The term worldview defines how people understand their position, their significance, and their place on this planet. There are three main ingredients that make up one’s worldview. These include 1) our understanding of God, 2) our understanding of mankind, and 3) our understanding of the world. These ideas incorporate within them an understanding of their relationship between God and man, between man and this world, and between this world and God. These are the crucial facets of our self-understanding as human beings.”
As we unpack this passage, we will find 2 primary worldviews that are self-focused and one that is Christ-Centered. These self-focused Worldviews sandwich the Christ-Centered Worldview. So, let’s dive into the scripture passage and look at these worldviews.
Worldview 1 – The Desire and Result of the Flesh (vv.11-16) (A Secular view of the world and life)
The first worldview is focused on the younger son. The picture painted in the parable matches many of the thoughts and actions of a secular worldview. Secular is defined this way according to Merriam-Webster.com: “a : of or relating to the physical world and not the spiritual world; b : not overtly or specifically religious; or c : of or relating to the government rather than the church.” It is a worldview clearly marked by a desire and focus on the physical world, with little or no spiritual influence.
The younger son is clearly driven by the desire to fulfill the flesh’s wants. He goes so far as to wish to get his portion of the inheritance even before the death of the father. His portion would have been approximately 1/3 of the father’s wealth. That would come at the death of the father, but this son wants it now and demands it from his father.
Once he receives his inheritance, he runs off to a foreign land and wastes the inheritance away on lavish and sinful living. At this point, he realizes no one is around to help. His friends, whom he lavished with his inheritance, are gone. They were there for him when he had something to give, but once that was gone, they were gone. It is very much that way in our culture today. If we can add or participate in the sin, then we have friends and support, but the moment we have nothing to add, we are left alone. It is about self-gratification.
A worldview focused on gratifying the flesh will always leave us wanting more. Sin will take us further than we desire and leave us alone to waste away when it is finished with us.
Worldview 2 – The Call to Repentance and Restoration (vv.17-24) (The Christ-Centered Worldview).
This worldview is radically different than the first or even the third worldview. This worldview is driven by the Kingdom of God. It is instilled in us by the Holy Spirit and continues to grow within us as we grow in Christ. It is modeled to us in the work of the Father in this parable. The Father in the story is a representation of the Heavenly Father.
This is a worldview of rescue and redemption from both secular and religious perspectives. This worldview is not driven by religious knowledge but is driven by a relationship with the God of the Universe. It is a worldview in which we see God meeting humanity at the depths of our sin and bringing us out of that muck of the pig pen. It is full of love and grace for those who do not deserve it either. It is one that realizes we are not stuck in our sin, but we have hope in the gospel of Christ.
As followers of Christ, we are to view the world through the lens of the gospel. We see sin for the disgust it is, but we also see the sinner as one in need of redemption. It is a worldview that is focused on rescuing others, no matter the image it paints of us.
As the church, we are to be a place of refuge for those who have turned (repented) from the life of living in the pig pen (sin) and to walk with them as they are renewed in Christ. That is the hope that we see in the Father, who places new clothes, a new ring, and prepares a beautiful feast for the returning son. We are now the messengers of the gospel and the hands and feet of Jesus.
Worldview 3 – Religion/Self-Righteousness that is Self-Consuming (vv.25-32) (The Religious Worldview)
This worldview is driven by an identity focused on religious or self-righteous behavior. It is one that says, my actions are right and good, and my observance of religious actions is what everyone needs to do in their own life. Think of the Apostle Paul before the Damascus Road experience. He was righteous in his own eyes because of his observance of the law.
Just as the older brother was unwilling to give grace to the younger brother, self-righteous people are unwilling to give grace to others. They want to receive grace but are unwilling to give it. They are driven by the works of their life and are angered at the unwillingness of people to follow the strictness of religion as they do.
This worldview is found in some form or another in most of the dominant world religions. Christianity is often seen in two forms: fundamentalism and the charismatic movement. Those two forms of Christianity are often the vocal minority and do not represent historic Christianity. From a worldview perspective, it is dangerous because it places authority in humanity’s ability to keep laws and regulations, which we cannot do outside the work and power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Every single person on the planet has one of those worldviews. As followers of Christ, our worldview must be one of Repentance and Restoration. That worldview is driven by the truth and fullness of Scripture.
If you don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior, then you either have a Secular Worldview or a religious/Self-Righteous Worldview. My challenge to you is to repent and turn to Christ today.
For those who have a Christ-Centered Worldview, may each of us have the passion of the Father. May we be ready and willing to speak the truth of salvation to those who need Christ.
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