Almost every family has one. Parents endure the pain, heartache, and guilt of a prodigal son or daughter. God’s family has them too. These are genuine believers who go astray morally or doctrinally. In the book of Galatians, Paul appealed to not just one or two straying Christians, but he reached out to a whole group of believers who were going astray doctrinally. Paul had been probing the minds of these believers with a number of arguments. In today’s passage he appealed to their hearts. By so doing he gives us insights in appealing to prodigals, whether a single individual or an entire church.
- Be imitable, v. 12
- Be approachable, v. 12
- Be memorable, vv. 13-15
- Be truthful, vv. 16-18
- Be real, vv. 19-20
The key that Paul gives us in appealing to prodigals is to take the initiative!
