Change Your Mind
From Words to Action: Repentance Shapes Your Life
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 21:32 CSB - "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; but you, when you saw it, didn't even change your minds then and believe him.
OBSERVATION:
Matthew chapter 21 opens with the Passion Week, the final seven days before Jesus's crucifixion for our sins.
After entering Jerusalem amidst shouts of "Hosanna" (save now), the religious leaders challenged Him about the children shouting "Hosanna." Jesus responded with the Parable of the Two Sons.
In this story, both sons are asked to work in their father's fields. The first son initially refused but later changed his mind and went. The second son agreed to work but never actually went.
Jesus asked the religious leaders, “Which one of the two did his father's will?” They answered, “The first.”
Matthew 21:32 CSB - "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; but you, when you saw it, didn't even change your minds then and believe him.
OBSERVATION:
Matthew chapter 21 opens with the Passion Week, the final seven days before Jesus's crucifixion for our sins.
After entering Jerusalem amidst shouts of "Hosanna" (save now), the religious leaders challenged Him about the children shouting "Hosanna." Jesus responded with the Parable of the Two Sons.
In this story, both sons are asked to work in their father's fields. The first son initially refused but later changed his mind and went. The second son agreed to work but never actually went.
Jesus asked the religious leaders, “Which one of the two did his father's will?” They answered, “The first.”
There are many churchgoers that imitate the second son.
- They admit that the Word of God is true.
- They intend to get serious about it someday.
- They talk about doing the Father’s work.
- They keep up the external appearance of religion, but their heart is not right with God.
- They think that words and promises are enough. – David Guzik.
The second son said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he went not; and these people do not go. They talk of repenting, but they do not repent. They speak of believing, but they never believe. They think of submitting to God, but they have not submitted themselves to him yet. They say it is time they broke up the fallow ground, and sought the Lord, but they do not seek him. It all ends in a mere promise. – Charles Spurgeon.
APPLICATION:
The point of this parable is clear. What matters is living for God, not saying the right words. The religious leaders were good at talking righteous talk, but their stubbornly unrepentant hearts showed that repentant sinners would enter the kingdom before them… These proud religionists should have repented all the more when they saw the notorious sinners repenting, but they did not. – David Guzik.
Let us not be people of mere words, but people of action. Make a point to change your mind. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Let your life speak like the tax collectors and prostitutes (who, by the way, were held in low esteem and despised by the religious); let the Holy Spirit change you, for we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Lest some of us forget where we came from, be reminded of Paul’s words to the church of Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:1-9 NKJV - And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I thank You for Your grace, mercy, patience, and endless love. All praise to You because You never gave up and kept calling me. When I finally responded to Your call, a lot of work was needed. I am living proof that You can transform even the most “religious and hard-hearted.” Thank You for saving me, someone dead in sins and trespasses, and making me alive!
Ephesians 2:1-9 NKJV - And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I thank You for Your grace, mercy, patience, and endless love. All praise to You because You never gave up and kept calling me. When I finally responded to Your call, a lot of work was needed. I am living proof that You can transform even the most “religious and hard-hearted.” Thank You for saving me, someone dead in sins and trespasses, and making me alive!
True faith is shown not in words alone but in a changed heart and obedient life.
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