Yes. It certainly seems that he did not merely change his actions, but that he was changed. He went from arrogant to humble, and from a position of "I deserve" to "I am not worthy".

When doing my Fun Trivia Quiz just now, one of the questions had to do with the Prodigal Son story. I answered correctly and noticed this paragraph that was part of FT's explanation for the answer:

"Christians generally take this story as a description of how the heavenly Father feels over the salvation of lost souls. Someone who has attended church all their lives might feel a twinge of this same type of resentment when a sinner suddenly converts and is welcomed into Christianity, but as this text points out, that is likely an incorrect attitude. The underlying theme seems to be that joy should be felt, rather than resentment."

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The underlying theme seems to be that joy should be felt, rather than resentment."

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That is certainly true. When a sinner converts, we should be joyful. I guess I've never observed it to be otherwise.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

That is certainly true. When a sinner converts, we should be joyful. I guess I've never observed it to be otherwise.

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Long ago, a dear friend who was very active in the congregation we belonged to, frustratedly said, "So I spend my entire life being faithful to God and His Word, accepting His Son as my beloved Savior, do good works as much as I am able in order to thank God for His mercy to me. Then a person who has made no effort to live a God-pleasing life is on his deathbed, cries out 'I believe in You, Jesus!' and is saved? I'm supposed to be joyful about that???"

That is regrettable. Like I said, I have never observed that. I have observed, on fairly rare occasions, people being harsh towards a particular "variety" of sinners. That is likewise regrettable.

I think her point was that she could live her life any way she pleased and finally, on her deathbed, accept Jesus as Savior and be saved? So why bother with years of going to church and Bible class and belonging to church groups when she could have been doing more fun things.

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I think her point was that she could live her life any way she pleased and finally, on her deathbed, accept Jesus as Savior and be saved? So why bother with years of going to church and Bible class and belonging to church groups when she could have been doing more fun things.

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The problem with that is the fact that many people do not die on their deathbed. Besides, I would ten times rather live my life as a Christian than any other way. I would be a Christian even if there was no heaven/hell.

WG, you have asked before about the fate of children that die. Just read tonight in 2 Sam. 12:23 that David said, "He cannot come to me, but I shall go to him." That would certainly seem to show that the child was in heaven, would it not?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

WG, you have asked before about the fate of children that die. Just read tonight in 2 Sam. 12:23 that David said, "He cannot come to me, but I shall go to him." That would certainly seem to show that the child was in heaven, would it not?

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God caused an innocent baby to die in order to punish David, the father of that baby???

That's certainly what the text says. Children suffer for the misdeeds of their parents.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

That's certainly what the text says. Children suffer for the misdeeds of their parents.

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Yes, that's true, but God makes that happen? I hope not!

Well, it's what the text reads.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Well, it's what the text reads.

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So then, why would God object to abortion?

God's judgment is one thing. Man's murder is entirely different.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

God's judgment is one thing. Man's murder is entirely different.

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Then He should have killed David, the guilty one, not an innocent baby.

You'll have to talk with God about that one. I didn't make that decision. But I am surprised to see you refer to an "innocent baby", and be upset with God, and yet have no problem supporting liberal dem politicians who kill countless innocent babies. You seem confused.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

But I am surprised to see you refer to an "innocent baby", and be upset with God, and yet have no problem supporting liberal dem politicians who kill countless innocent babies. You seem confused.

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I have not done that. All I have said is that a woman and her doctor should make that decision together.

Well then, God did what you say it’s ok for a doctor to do. What is your complaint?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Well then, God did what you say it’s ok for a doctor to do. What is your complaint?

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I didn't say "it's ok for a doctor to do"!

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All I have said is that a woman and her doctor should make that decision together.

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And thus you have given your permission.

You really don't think that "a woman and her doctor" will always decide to preserve the unborn child's life, do you? You seem to be one of those people who want to vote for pro-abortion candidates, but then try to pretend that you really don't support abortion. Well, you can't have it both ways.