Behaving Like Children

Behaving like Children

Read: Matthew 21:28-32

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

Matthew 21:31

“A man’s real belief is that which he lives by.”

—George MacDonald

IN WORD In this brief parable, one son says he will do what the father asks and then changes his mind later. The other son says he will not work for the father, but changes his mind and actually goes to the vineyard later. Both act in contradiction to their stated intentions. And Jesus gives them absolutely no credits or criticisms for their words; what they do is all that matters to Him. It is the surest evidence of their true beliefs.

The parable is a pointed statement to the Pharisees that it is possible to identify ourselves so much by our stated allegiances that we miss the whole point of faithful obedience to God. While we should trust and celebrate the fact that we are irrevocably God’s children, we should not take our children’s status for granted as our natural right. True children of the Father act as if they really are His children and He really is their Father. Our service in the vineyard really does matter. It’s an accurate indication of where our hearts lie.

The problem with our discipleship may be that we are content to be God’s children in name only, while avoiding real participation in our new family. Like the son who was overtly willing but inwardly apathetic, we want the benefits of the kingdom of God without ever really getting our hearts attached and our hands dirty.

IN DEED Those of us who were raised as churchgoers should beware of this problem. It is possible to be so comfortable with our standing before God that we miss Him when He speaks. We may believe that because we once said we were headed out to His vineyard, we are by nature obedient and faithful. We can be lulled to sleep in our own false sense of security. Meanwhile, the conspicuous sinners of our day find true security by coming when they’re called. They understand the call as a demand for repentant faith, not an option for presumptuous children. We must remember that God measures our hearts by the fruit they actually bear.