Full Salvation – Our High Privilege: by Andrew Murray

Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
—Luke 15:31

We may talk a great deal about the father’s love for the Prodigal Son, but when we think of the way he treated the elder brother, it brings to our hearts a truer sense of the wonderful love of the father.

In our parable, the elder son was always with his father and had two privileges: unceasing fellowship and unlimited partnership. But he was worse than the Prodigal Son, for, though always at home, he had never enjoyed or understood these privileges. All this fullness of fellowship had been offered to him, but he had not received it. While the Prodigal Son was away from home, his elder brother was far from the enjoyment of home, even while at home.

Full salvation includes unceasing fellowship: “Ever with me.” An earthly father loves his child and delights to make his child happy. “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and He delights to pour out His own nature on His people. Many people talk about God hiding His face, but there are only two things that ever caused God to do so—sin and unbelief. Nothing else can. “God is love,” and, speaking with all reverence, He can’t help loving. We see His goodness toward the ungodly and His compassion on the erring. His fatherly love is manifested toward all His children.

Full salvation includes unlimited partnership: “All that I have is thine.” The elder son complained of the father’s gracious reception of the Prodigal while he had never been given a lamb to enjoy. The father, in tenderness, answered him, “Son, you were always in my house; you had only to ask and you would have been given everything you desired and required.” And that is what our Father says to all His children.

But you are saying, “I am so weak; I cannot conquer my sins; I can’t do anything.” No, you cannot, but God can. For so long, He has been saying to you, “All that I have is yours. I have given it to you in Christ. All the Spirit’s power and wisdom, all the riches of Christ, all the love of the Father—there is nothing that I have that is not yours. I am God who will love, keep, and bless you.”

I began by saying there are two classes of Christians: those who enjoy full salvation, and those who do not understand it. Well, if it is not clear to you, ask God to make it clear. Just let yourself go into the arms of God. Hear Him say, “Everything is yours.”