Most of us know the story of the Prodigal son from Luke 15. The younger son of a wealthy man asks for his inheritance early, the father gives it, and the son squanders everything on parties. Once he is destitute, he returns to his father and asks to be made a slave. Instead, his father runs to him, gives him presents, and throws a feast to celebrate his return. The older brother is jealous and insulted that the wandering squanderer is being celebrated. It is a lesson about the petulance of youth, the waste of resources, the love of a father, and the bitterness that grows out of comparison.
When believers are "prodigal" it is not a question of salvation, per se. One can have saving knowledge of Jesus and still waste the fullness of the Christian life. My father used to call it "living beneath your privileges". The work of Jesus on the cross was to provide reconciliaiton to God through His perfect sacrifice. The proper response to a sacrifice so great is love, devotion, appreciation, and constant communion with the Father.
Why, then, are so many believers joyless, penniless, impatient souls who are neither Heavenly minded nor earthly good? The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of our faith and faith without works is dead. We do not do good things to "earn" or "deserve" salvation, of course, but out of our gratitude for eternal life. The laws of the Kingdom also guarantee full, rich, joyful lives if we answer our calling to be like Jesus.
Adoption into the family of God is a privilege and a miracle that literally cost Jesus His human life. Let us be ever diligent to ensure we are accepting both the privileges and responsibilities of the adopted younger siblings of the Savior. Abiding in the vine implies that we will yield fruit. If we do not, we are prodigal indeed.
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