Words or works?

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 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. – Matthew 21.27-30

Words or works. Which is more important? What we say or what we do? I know the perfect answer is that both are important, but when it comes right down to it which is the most important.

Jesus tell the story here of a farmer who has two sons. He tells to two sons to go out into the vineyard. One son says ‘I’m not going to go,’ but he changes his mind and goes out and does the work. The other says ‘I’ll go,’ but he doesn’t go.

The story goes on to say that Jesus asked an obviously rhetorical question about which one honoured his father.

The answer is obvious. Of course it is the son who did what he was asked to do.

But there are far too many times when God’s people act like they don’t really get it. We know how to put on the right face and say the right words. We know how to dress right and play the game, but what do our actions say? Do our every day actions and interactions line up with what we say and what we claim? Are we doers of the word or are we hearers and speakers only? Do we act on what we say and what we believe.

We need to daily examine our lives to see which son we are most like. Are you honouring our Father by our words and our actions?