Montrose, Colorado

Rev. Willis A. (Bert) Jones, a country preacher & Bible teacher

February 20, 2016

While watching the political debates concerning both parties, I note that many candidates aren't accepting that a person can change his/her mind. They judge others according to their self made rules rather than God's laws. This is what the older brother did in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. (See Bible: Luke 15:11-32)

The Father had two sons. The Younger asked for his share of the estate. This was not against the law, but was not normal. The father divided the estate between the sons. And the younger left home. The older son stayed and worked his land. After the younger wasted his wealth and had become a servant of a pig farmer and starving; he changed his mind. He had lost it all. Humbled, he decided to return home and to ask his farther to accept him back as a servant.

The father accepted him back, not as a servant, but as a son. The older did not accept his brother back at all. He had not wasted his father's wealth. He had done right thing in his mind. He thought his younger brother had done wrong and should suffer. He could not repent and change his mind. The Father and also God does accept repentance and the change of mind based on a new understanding. Should we not also accept a true repentance and the change of mind and a change of behavior? People can and do change, and when they do , we should accept that. We should forgive!