A TALE OF TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” Romans 2:13, ESV
Theme: Obeying laws, not hearing them, is what shows good character.
TWO DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES
My children are amazing. They are smart, accomplished, good people. They are hard-working and responsible. Their families are sweet and loving. I am very blessed and proud of them. So, don’t hold the following story against them!
As children, I had one very passive-resistant child and another who was strong-willed and a bit oppositional. For example, if I asked them both to clean their rooms, one child agreed easily, but went to the bedroom and read a book or took a nap. My other child protested: “Why should I clean my room when yours is a mess?” After some strong words, that child cleaned up the bedroom to perfect neatness, while in a fit of anger. Wow! Both were different kinds of hard to parent!
PARABLE OF TWO SONS
Jesus tells the story of brothers: one who said he would not go but later relented and went to the fields and worked. The other brother agreed to go but then never showed up. Jesus asked which one had truly done the will of his father? It is obvious to us, as it was to the Pharisees: the brother who went was the obedient son. The bigger truth—for them and for us—is that it is not enough to know about the Bible and its teachings. It is not enough to give lip service to the things of God. We must believe and put into practice what we know. We must be doing the things Jesus taught.
James says: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, ESV). When we fail to apply what God has shown us, whether in our Bible study, in a message, or instruction from a godly friend, we are refusing to obey. We are deceiving ourselves that we are righteous, when only obedience and faith can please God.
Make It Personal: In what ways are you saying you believe, but not acting on it? Or agreeing with God about a needed change, but not following through? Recommit to following Him with your whole self: mind, body, strength, and heart. Ask Him what actions you need to take to show Him your total surrender.
Pray: Lord, I want to obey You. Show me my next step, the things I need to do or change. Give me a willing heart and a sensitive spirit to follow Your Spirit’s leading. I want to honor You with all I am, think, say, and do. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Matthew 21:28-32
Weekly Memory Verse: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” Romans 2:13, ESV