While most commentators assume that the son has truly repented, Ken Bailey has pointed out that in reality the son is attempting to manipulate his father by pretending to be repentant but then demanding that he be made a hired servant. Not an indentured servant, mind you, but a hired sole proprietor, highly paid worker in the vineyard.

Then, the scene follows in which the father runs out to this no-good son who is about to manipulate him, hugs him and dresses him with a ring, shoes and, yes, that robe of righteousness. During the process of demonstrating grace by the father, the son truly becomes repentant and does not even ask for the status of a hired servant.

Among many things the parable reveals is that while we were yet His enemies, He became gracious to us and thus the robe of righteousness has nothing to do with our works but everything to do with the works of Christ that are then gloriously exchanged for our sins. He became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. Thanks for the opportunity to address a concern that is on the mind of many.

As to whether it is up to us to keep the the faith, one of my favorite statements is, “There is nothing we can do either to create or sustain the faith that God gives as a gift.” God alone will get ALL the credit for the faith that saves us. However, as a believer we can reject the means of grace and fall into unbelief in various ways. That will not happen because God predestines it but because we might choose to renounce the One Who died and rose for our sakes. It is referred to as the sin against the Holy Spirit which sin is not present whenever a Christian worries that she may have fallen into that sin.

And you are so correct, Kate, in recognizing that or predestination did not come about because God “looked down the long road of history and foresaw who would choose to keep faith and not reject it. Thanks for your insights.

I agree that there are few Japanese Churches there that even understand the Word and Sacrament of the Lutheran “way”, having been there and having been apart of the salvation of several Japanese souls while visiting there from time to time.

This idea of “election” is a trembling “Word” to me and I know that I don’t know as I ought as I hear the teaching about it.

In an earlier post of mine herein, [to which I really was being foolish, forgive me this wrong, being tempted to post herein on your blog], I quoted from Deuteronomy about God increasing three cities more during the Israeli conquest after Moses passed and Joshua took on the lead “if” they would increase their love for their neighbor. You can obviously refer back if you want. Further in Deuteronomy God laid down the “Law” about murdering, both the concepts and idea, within the same chapter.

Here I wish to post from the Book of the Revelation and make a comment looking for correction, instruction, reproof or whatever in “Righteousness” from you Tom.

The verses:::>Rev 19:6 And I heard as the sound of a great multitude, and as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of strong thunders, saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns!
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and we will give glory to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. For the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.

There are two things I want to underscore, “THE WIFE HAS PREPARED HERSELF” and “FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SAINTS”.

In one translation, the “New” King James version, the editorial board that authorized this addition, interpretation chose to write it this way, “FOR THE FINE LINEN” changed it to “THE ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS OF”.

As you did for me Tom after emailing you a question about the “OBEDIENCE” of the Saints, Romans 1:5 and 16:26, can you comment on this idea here in the Book of the Revelation as to who is doing what and when?

I use to think that FAITH’S PROMISES were realized AFTER my obedience. Now I am beginning to hear it differently and thus my whole Theology is being “RENEWED” by the admonitions, instructions, reproofs and rebukes addressing MY ERROR and interpretation of the Scriptures.

Seeing that I begin as a creature of the flesh, then after being “born again” now a new creature born of the Spirit, I find it twice as complicating for me. Before my own personal “awakening”, I only dealt with my fleshly conscience when I sinned, but now I am faced with this same reality that Kate from Japan address, “my election”. hmmmmm? Ok, now what then?

Well I am now coming to realize that God gives the Word and Sacrament as “GIFTS”.

Before I use to be way to GOOD to be a sinner, now I tremble more and more at how GOOD I am!

This is a hard thing here. And I wait for a response, or a spin on what God is saying about the RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE SAINTS being the Garments the Wife adorns herself with?

Really isn’t what He adorns us with in preparing us for this prophesy being fulfilled, Rev. 19 that prepares us? And isn’t it really our response that God is looking for and calls “obedience to the FAITH” afterwards and not before ELECTION?

Michael Burke
Gospel Outreach
Eureka, Ca.