Prodigal Pressure

A cup of sweet water could never spill a drop of bitter water, no matter how
heavily it was jolted." Amy Carmichael

"Suppression is not victory." Zac Poonen
Controlled conduct apart from the Spirit of God is merely a
result of temperament. If suppression were victory then shopkeepers,
salesmen, and airline attendants are among the most Christ-like.

God allows trials to bring the real self to the surface, to counter the
humanistic messaging of our self-esteem. If you reverse the word
self-esteem, you will see that to esteem-self is not the goal for the
Christian.

In Luke 15, the trial of the brother of the prodigal son
revealed the hidden sins of his heart. Note the brother's words: "You never
gave me a goat." (I will place the text from Luke 15 at the bottom for
those who would like to grasp this in its context.)
This moment of pressure reveals the fact that his service was
reward motivated. What's in it for me! I like what Jesus said in Luke 17: 9,
10: "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were
commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all
those things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants: we
have done that which was our duty to do.'"
A selfish heart also distorts our view of others and exaggerates
their offenses. Note the brothers complaint: "But when this son of yours
came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes." There is nothing in
the text below that would suggest the prodigal brother visited prostitutes.
When bitterness and anger reside in us, our ability to see others through
God's eyes is clouded and our reality becomes distorted-we think the worst
and we turn the color of bitter as Gene Edwards coined it.

A selfish heart also distorts our view of God. The angry
brother refuses to accept the invitation of his father thus spiraling him
further away from God's blessing and presence. The angry son's response
reveals more of the true nature of his heart: "You never gave me." And the
father's response was, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is
yours." Oh to understand all that we have in Christ! A selfish heart robs
us of a the active divine power that has given us all things that pertain to
life and godliness.whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For if these
things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks
these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was
purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling an election sure: for if you do these things, you shall
never fall." 2nd Peter 1.
A selfish heart is easily provoked when criticized. Our heart
is never so tested as when we are opposed or criticized. A.W. Tozer said,
"when criticized the only thing that should concern us, is whether the
criticism is true or false, not whether it comes from a friend or enemy."
A selfish heart refuses to listen. When the father entreats the
elder brothers to come into the celebration, he stubbornly refuses. His
pride stole his opportunity to enjoy the blessing.
A selfish heart focuses on doing in order to maintain a certain
image. There service to God and others is always burdensome. Note his
words: "Look, these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed your
command, yet you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my
friends." Notice that he has kept record of how many years he has served.
When Jacob served seven years and then again seven more years for Rachael,
he said that the years were like a few days. Service based on a heart of
love is never burdensome. This can also be a good measurement for our
service in our careers. Is our daily activity burdensome? Are you putting
in your time only for a future celebration? Oh that we would recognize that
the celebration is today and every day with Christ. May we never forget
that the chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever!

Luke 15:
25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the
house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and
asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has
come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received
him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His
father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look,
these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet
you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30
But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with
prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him,
'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was
fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is
alive; he was lost, and is found.'"