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Welcome back to the final post for our 2025 Luke 15:11-32 study. Here’s how the Spirit worked in my heart as I reviewed my notes from the past seven weeks.

Last Week’s Work

LESSON(S) LEARNED
Only God knows if the Pharisees and scribes were saved. The parable doesn’t help us figure that out. Three times, though, Jesus talked about being lost (a sheep, a coin, a son) and being found (two by the efforts of the owner, once by turning back to the loving Father). My big take-away from this is universal opportunity: both the older and younger sons were welcome at the celebration. In fact, the father went out to bring the older son in! Yet he missed out because he chose to. He’d rather dwell on the perceived injustice of the younger son being received back into the family than rejoice because his brother changed his mind and returned home.

This story was a response to religious leaders complaining about Jesus celebrating with new believers—people the Pharisees and scribes judged unworthy of God’s positive attention. Only God knows our hearts, though. The rest of us don’t have the knowledge or authority to judge His reaction to other believers. Besides, doing so leaves us on the sidelines when there’s a great celebration to be enjoyed!

CONVICTION

As this study concluded, I began attending a local women’s Bible study and shared my testimony with the group. As usual, I started crying.

To my chagrin, I often become emotionally flooded when telling that story, because I know how undeserving I was when he gave me new life. I don’t like that I do that. After all, if being saved by Christ is so wonderful, why am I crying? And, honestly, I struggle with sharing it because I anticipate that reaction. By bringing that scenario to mind in this study, I believe the Spirit is convicting me to change my mindset and concentrate on God, not me, when I testify.

CORRECTION

“It [is] fitting to celebrate and be glad, for [you were] dead, and [are] alive; [you were] lost, and [are] found (Luke 15:32).”

I believe the Spirit used this verse to tell the Pharisee/scribe in me that celebration of my return to God is appropriate because I am no longer the dead person I was. I was given new life, so I need to stop focusing on me and how awful I was (do you hear the self-magnification? I do!) and focus instead on how good God is. I need to share this ultimately happy story so that it emphasizes God and His goodness, not the dead, lost person I was.

ACTION PLAN

I’ve begun rehearsing a different version of my testimony that glorifies God rather than focusing on how awful I was. I believe this is one of the hardest action plans I’ve attempted to practice, but what a testament it will be to God to do this in His strength, not mine!

Our Next Study

Next week we’ll start another “blast from the past” study. It’s Romans 12, which I studied in the summer of 2021. I can’t wait to re-explore this treasure-filled chapter with you!