Total Obedience

Matthew 21:28-32 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
  “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
 “The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

How often do we hear Christians proclaim - " I have been in the faith longer than him/her. What does he/she know?'' Many people accept Jesus, show a willingness to walk in obedience, and then gradually start to drift off God's instructions. Many have a form of Godliness, but deny the power there of. Some people strut about with a sense of over importance, and believe they have known God the longest. Just like Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses in Numbers12 :2 - "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this., sometimes as believers, we are quick to show off who we believe we are in God. Often times revealing hidden pride in our lives.

The Word of God says unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. It is not about how long we have been Christians, but rather about whether or not we are walking in obedience . In the parable above, the second son was not obedient, he feigned obedience , but his action spelt disobedience. Our actions shall betray our relationship with God. Aaron was accusing Moses, but he was not totally sold out to obeying God either. Aaron led the Israelites to worship a golden calf. Our obedience must be in toto. We should not begin in righteousness and obedience, and end in unrighteousness and disobedience. We have to carry on in obedience for it is he who endures to the end, that shall be saved.

Let us bear in mind Ezekiel 18:26-28 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.















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