One Father, Two Sons, Three Choices

In Luke 15, says Philip Alley, there are three parables. All along a similar theme of something (or someone) being lost and then the great joy when found. God is very happy when that which was lost is found – he seeks the restoration of sinners constantly. Philip goes on to examine in more detail the parable of the lost, or prodigal, son. He draws the comparison between the characteristics of the lost son and of the older son, before going on to describe the orphan heart and the steps that lead to this condition. In closing, Philip states that “God does not change. We are the ones who choose whether we view God as a taskmaster whose approval we cannot win, or a God of peace, joy and love.