Good intentions are not good decisions. Bad and foolish decisions could be changed by God’s grace into right decisions. In the Lord’s parable, both sons were not ideal, one was a hypocrite, and another was late in obedience. (Matthew 21:28-32)
Father’s Initiative: The sons did not wake up early, they did not ask what they should do. Instead, it was the father who went to his sons. God first loved us. God the Father sent His Son to the world. God has chosen us before the foundation of the world.
Authority over sons: Father had authority over sons, sending them to work was his responsibility. God has chosen disciples to be His children. (John 1:12) God as creator, Saviour, and Lord has authority over His people. He calls, appoints, sends, and uses them for His ministry and mission in this world. Sons have a responsibility to gladden the hearts of fathers. (Proverbs 15:20)
Go: God has sent all humans into the world. No human preexisted to ask a request or apply to come into this world. All disciples are deployed in the world according to God’s universal global plan, in a specific place and at an appropriate time.
Work: God has called all humans to work, however, he has called His children to fulfill His plan. Indeed, God has a specific plan for each person. Each believer should realize that s/he is placed in a context to fulfill God’s purpose.
Today: The Bible teaches that ‘today’ is the day of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2) Some people like to postpone, stating that there are four more months for harvest. Each day is a day of urgency and a day of salvation. (John 4:35)
Vineyard: The Vineyard is His, the absolute owner of all. All believers work in the same vineyard but have different roles. Someone sow, someone waters, someone harvests but God is the one who gives the increase. (I Corinthians 3:6)
Two Responses: The elder son pretended humility and obedience, but did not go. The younger son was defiant and refused to go. Yet he repented and went.
Do I obey or pretend to obey?