Did the Prodigal son ever not be the son of his father? While feeding the pigs in the fields, was he ever not the son of his father, therefore still a member of the family to which he eventually returned? ... Take care how you view that story. The son who stayed behind exposed his heart of jealously ...
What did the Father say? “...this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
Dead.
How can a dead man return to his father? Except, of course, “dead” is used to mean totally alienated, not incapable of action. And while we are described as having been “dead” in our sins, we are also described as acting on our choices.
When Jesus said, “Repent!” - did he mean it? Or was repentance impossible? If it were impossible, how could He honestly command people to repent?
What about Peter?
““Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
Why exhort a dead man? Hmmm?
Indeed, the entire Bible teaches we ARE capable of making choices. Genesis 4: “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Cain is clearly described as having a choice to make. And so it goes, clear thru the Bible.
“... Take care how you view that story. The son who stayed behind exposed his heart of jealously ...”
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I have no clue what you are worried about on my behalf.