January 29th Devotion

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)
28 "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.' 29 "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 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. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, pointing out their failure to do God’s will. Being the first did not secure their position. Be obedient did. Tax collectors and prostitutes who responded to God, we entering the kingdom. Of course the Pharisees were furious because they felt better than tax collectors and prostitutes. Because of their position, the gave lip services and expected that to be sufficient.It is not much different today, is it? Many Christians give lip service to God and point to grace for their failures, while looking down on people that struggle in the faith. Like Pharisees, they pure judgment on those who do not meet their approval, and therefore nullify the grace by which they stand.

Are you a Christian? How can you prove it? Is it possible that someone that you disapprove of can be a Christian. What would be their proof?

Romans 14:4 (NIV)
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Love, Pastor Don