Think About This Today

The prodigal son.

Great story.

I love it when someone opens my mind to a new idea about a story I have heard explained hundreds of times! I heard someone say the other day the story indicates that the prodigal did not actually repent--just says he came to his senses.

I have always heard that explained as repentance, but actually he just was looking at his options and chose the best one. He did return to his father, but does that indicate repentance?

Is repentance required for God to welcome us?

Hear, believe, repent, and be baptized was what I grew up understanding.

Does that hold true with this story?

I like new ideas and slants.... makes me think.

The other two parables in that chapter have the word repent in them, but this does not.

Does God's grace require repentance before it can be granted or does it cover us "no matter what?"

Otherwise what does?