What ever happened to good old-fashioned obedience?

Jesus Christ said this:

“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. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen [it], repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

Notice that there is one command here, but two different responses: one of obedience and one of disobedience. The command was very clear: “…go work today in my vineyard.” “Go” … “Work” … When? "Today."

“I will not,” the first said, but then he repented and did what he was told, in obedience. The second, however, said, “I go sir,” and did not do what he was told, in disobedience.

Which of the two men could you use to describe a good portion of the professing church of today? Who are you of the two? Who am I?

Would to God that we would be honest with ourselves and God, and that we would stop making up excuses.

Isn’t it the will of the Father that we would obey His commands, which are holy, just, good, and in no way grievous? Are not His commands just that, commands, and not just His suggestions or good advice on a way of living?

In the context of this passage in Matthew, who was Jesus confronting? Religious people; men of the chief priests and elders. People who would appear righteous in the world's eyes today. However, even though they were "religious," these men, who were actually self-righteous, questioned the very authority of the Lord. These men believed that they already knew the ways of God and did not need to be instructed any further. The fact is that they were not willing to submit to the word of the Lord.

Are there people in the world today who are not willing to submit to the Lord’s authority? Well of course! There are many. But how about in the church? Sadly so, yes. How often is the authority of the Lord’s word, the Bible, called into question…even in the church.

Saints, we need to take a close look at our own hearts: Do we question the Lord’s authority today by dismissing what He has clearly told us in His word? For example, when He has told us to “Go” and to “Work,” what is our response?

May it always be one of obedience!

Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: With all of this said, something else must be said: Without Christ you can do nothing (John 15:5); Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27); and your greatest resource for obedience is God’s grace through Christ (Romans 1:5). Jesus is the only way.

IMPORTANT NOTE #2: One more thing must be mentioned: The Bible teaches us that justification before a Holy God (which is a one-time, for all-time deal) is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is not by works; neither is it by faith and works. (Read the Book of Romans, specifically chapters 1-3, and the Book of Galatians for the evidence.) Seeking justification before God by keeping His Holy Commandments is futile, for you will eternally fall short. And for those of you who will use James 2: First, remember that there is the context of the entire Bible to deal with. Second, James was making a specific point: This is what man with a genuine faith looks like to others. A man with genuine faith will produce good works. His good works justify him before others (Not God, Romans 4:2) as having genuine faith. Someone with genuine faith would not offer just lip-service, which someone with a dead faith would always offer.

Standing on the promises of His Word,

One Clay Soldier among many