Can You See Yourself?

Can you see yourself in these parables?

A certain man who had two sons came to the first and said, “Son, go work in my vineyard.” The young man answered, “I will not,” but afterward repented and went. Then the second son was also commanded to go work in the vineyard. He said to his father, “Sir, I go,” but didn’t. Which one did the will of his father (Matthew 21:28-31)?

There is an important lesson in that parable. Jesus demands action, not just lip service! During his ministry He called attention to a statement Isaiah had made centuries earlier. The prophet had written, “…this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus applied the prophet’s statement to His own generation. Men were quick to profess faith, but it was not a life changing faith. Theirs was a religion of the lips and not of the heart. Like the young man in the parable, men were saying yes but meaning no! Such a religion lacks value.

Can you see yourself in the story Jesus told? Have you said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you,” but you have refused to obey His commands? Have you been baptized (Mark 16:16)? Are you a student of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15)? Do you live your religion daily (Philippians 1:27)? Or, are you merely offering lip serv­ice to the Lord?

Ironically, it seems that many are content to be the second son, saying yes to the Father’s demands, but unwilling to obey. Is that how you see yourself? I hope not. The Lord saw through that young man’s hypocrisy, and he will see through ours as well.

Which son are you? I hope not the second! If so, change the way you are and the way you see yourself. Say yes to Jesus, and then follow through.

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully