How must a person come in order to be saved?
A person must come as a sinner, admitting need rather than trusting self-righteousness or personal effort. Paul makes plain that no one can be saved while thinking they will make it on their own; the sick, not the well, need the physician. Coming as a sinner is mandatory.
Les explains that the older brother in the parable is typical of the Pharisees in Israel. They had been under the covenant promises, but they were so self-righteous and filled with their own importance that they saw no need of anything. When they saw the little element of believers embracing Christ as the Messiah, it made them angry. Saul of Tarsus is typical of that same mentality, thinking he could stamp them out by putting them to death and in prison. Jesus Himself said the well person does not need a physician, but the sick person does. Paul makes it plain that you cannot be saved, you cannot enter into salvation, if you think you are going to make it on your own. Instead, you have to come as a sinner, and that is mandatory.
More Questions
How must a person come to enter salvation?
You cannot enter salvation if you think you're going to make it on your own; you must come as a sinner, and that is mandatory.