Manuscripts

GOD IS CALLING THE PRODIGAL by Tom Moore Tom Moore is a graduate of the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas, and is in his 16th year of full time gospel preaching. He has preached in local congregations in Laurel (Delaware), Buna (Texas), Comanche (Texas), Port Lavaca (Texas), and presently works with the North Main church of Christ in Malvern, Arkansas. Tom has also done course work at Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem, Israel, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Ministry from Southern Christian University. Tom is one of the editors and founders of "Seek Ye First," a free quarterly gospel journal. He is also on the editorial staff of "Contending for the Faith." Tom has done campaign work in Ghana West Africa, Jamaica, and speaks on various Lectureships and Gospel Meetings each year. Some of the efforts Tom is involved in Malvern include a daily radio program, a weekly article for the local newspaper, and edits “The Examiner”, a quarterly publication sent to every household in the county. “God is Calling the Prodigal,” is a hymn written by Charles H. Gabriel in 1889. Charles H. Gabriel was born on August 18, 1856 in Wilton, Iowa. Mr. Gabriel passed from this life in Los Angles, California on September 15, 1932. He had some part in the writing of at least 8,000 other songs. Mr. Gabriel also wrote songs under the pseudonyms of H. A. Henry, Charlotte G. Homer, and S. B. Jackson. Like most grand old hymns, “God is Calling the Prodigal” teaches a very important Christian principal. This hymn, along with many others of its day, was written in the midst of a great spiritual revival in our nation. It was during this time that the restoration movement found its most fertile soil in the hearts and minds of God-fearing Americans. Only the Almighty knows how many true prodigals have answered the gospel call and made their way down the assembly aisle as this song was sung. What makes this song so great is its moving expression of one of the most touching passages in Holy Writ, Luke 15:11-32.There are several items of importance for us to consider with regard to the hymn before us. The word “prodigal” (not found in the King James Version) means “reckless, wasteful, or extravagant.” The younger son in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk. 15:12) “wasted his substance with riotous living” (Lk. 15:13) – thus, the word “prodigal.” The idea of God “calling” the prodigal to come home is the major theme of the hymn under discussion. Many have varied ideas as to how God calls one out of sin, or how the Spirit intercedes. Some falsely believe that God calls us out of sin through some direct operation on the heart, or even in an audible voice. The Bible, though, informs us that God calls and the Spirit intercedes through the written word. “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 The. 2:14). Paul said, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). It is God’s word that has the power to call one out of sin. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 10:17). “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). The Presence of the Father The presence of the Father is under consideration in the first stanza. “Come without delay,” is the cry of our Father. Life is too short and too unpredictable to put off coming home to the Lord. In the words of James, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jam. 4:14). Even though the prodigal has “wandered so far from His presence” – still, the Father wants us back. Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2), but the power of God’s word can bring us back into the presence of God. Even if we have wandered far, far away – we can penitently come home to the Father. The Pleading of the Father The pleading of the Father is described in the second stanza. Our Father pleads patiently for our return. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering [or, patient] to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Our Father’s loving plea is seen in the sacrifice of His Son. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 Jn. 4:9). Our Father is tender or compassionate in His plea, because He is not “willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3:9). “God is calling now for thee.” The Provisions of the Father The provisions of the Father are discussed in the final stanza. The Father wants the prodigal to come home because “there’s bread in the house of thy Father, and to spare.” “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). If we will return, “Lo! The table is spread and the feast is waiting there.” When God forgives, after our penitent return, there is no probation, no second-class citizenship, and no remembering of the sin. Our Father will treat us just as His did before – as His son, a part of the family of God. Each time we sing this wonderful hymn we should praise the Father for His loving plea to come home. The Father has shown us the way home. Will we “come to our self” and come home to the Father? Beloved, “Hear His loving voice calling still.” END NOTE 1. Finley C. Gene (1980), Our Garden of Song (West Monroe , Lo: Howard Publishing Company)