He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
The full context is, Matthew 21:28-31 (KJV)
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Here is a young man whose first reaction to his father’s command was to refuse. The second son was more complaint. In the end, however, the first son did what was commanded of him, while the second did not. Jesus obviously preferred the first to the latter.
I suggest that the difference between the two is repentance versus compliance.
I’ve met many children who have grown up in a Christian home and learned the secret of getting along. They observe. They see what makes for peace and what makes for suffering. They learn what will keep them in their parents’ and their church’s good graces. And they comply. Anxious to fit in and be happy, they do what they are expected to do. The trouble is that compliance with Christian lifestyle is not the same as saving faith in Christ.
I surely do like being around a compliant child. I am not advocating for raising “rebels for the cause.” But salvation requires repentance, and repentance involves struggle. A crisis of faith has got to happen, or else we continue trusting the flesh, often believing ourselves to be walking by faith.
The call of Christianity is not compliance with a worldview, conservative lifestyle, or even a doctrinal statement. The call of Christianity is a repentance of the flesh that turns us to the Lord.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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