Matthew 21:28-30 “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.”
We can often spot those who talk a good game, but they lack when it comes to the performance of what needs to be done. Someone might know all there is to know about how to play a sport, build a building, grow a garden, or mother children, but their life reflects a different tale.
It is in the performance of those things we know that reveals our character.
Today’s passage spoke to me in a way that it asked, “Are you doing what you know you’ve been commanded, or am I giving lip service to God with who I imagine myself to be?”
I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of my responsibility to that which I have been called to do, not inspect, judge, or criticize the failure of others.
Our lives reveal much of what we are thinking.
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”
You hear the words I speak, but if my actions do not support those words, you will deem me a hypocrite and look for one more honest. Some are more secretive and deceptive.
We don our masks to show the world the person we think is what we want to be. A good father, husband, worker, and even Christian. Yet, when you watch my feet instead of my lips, you will find the truth of who I really am.
On a more personal and intimate note, do we speak words to God trying to convince Him of the person we think He wants us to be? Or should we be more truthful and confess what we fail to do and ask for the grace to accomplish what we know is right?
Transparency with God is always open to us from God. But it is when we fail to be transparent with Him that we stray. I have to remind myself that He sees all, knows all, and even has a plan for what I should be doing today.
My confession is just an acknowledgment of what my Heavenly Father already knows about me.
Our theme for our Missions Conference this year was “By God’s Grace.” We know that we can do nothing without God, and with God, all things are possible. But in the engagement of those things is the nitty-gritty of the Christian life.
I can say I am a witness for Jesus Christ, but when was the last time I gave out a gospel tract or spoke to a person God placed in my path to lead them to Christ?
When was the last time I had a new awareness of God’s presence in my life?
When was the last time the preaching of God’s Word to me hit home, personally?
When was the last time I had a two-way conversation with God? Not just a delivery of my laundry list of wants to Him.
In closing, Paul admonishes us to perform the doing of it.
2 Corinthians 8:11-12 “Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
We all wish ourselves to be more for God. Doing the work to get us there in the beginning. By God’s grace, we will become what He intended and willed us to be for Himself.
Daily Manna 