V28– What I understand from this verse is that all of us have been called to repentance and to service in God’s kingdom. But we decide how we will personally answer to the instruction/command.
V29 – Some of us do not say that we will obey the Lord and do what He asks of us but later we change our mind and we go ahead and obey Him. So at first, we have no willingness to obey and/or we are not ready to obey but later we change our minds and obey the Lord. At first, our hearts are stubborn but later, we change our minds and obey Him.
V30– Some of us, on the other hand, answer that we will do it, but we don’t. Some of us say that we will obey but we never ever obey. Some of us even say that we will obey just for the sake of it so that the Lord can leave us alone. How unfortunate? Can you lie to the Lord? Nothing is hidden from him.
Psalm 139 NLT: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
Some of us also maybe have the intention or have always had the intention to obey but we never obey. Some of us always have the intention to repent from our sins but we never make the decision to. Some of us always have the intention to go deeper in our knowledge of Him, go deeper in prayer, in service but we never actually do it.
For how long will you continue this way? For how long? For how long will the Lord be patient with us to obey?
Mark 9:19 NLT: Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? …
V31 – Jesus explains and says the first son obeyed Him. He did not want to at first but He later changed his mind.
What a blessed truth! Even if you had said you will not do it, you still have the chance to obey. The Lord is also merciful to those of us who continue to say we will do it, but we never really obey. He is still patient with us but remember, your time is small so don’t wait, obey now!
2 Peter 3: 9b-10a NIV– He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
2 Corinthians 6:1-3 NIV: As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
And so dear friend, join me in crying out with the Psalmist:
Psalm 39:4-8a NLT: Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. RESCUE ME FROM MY REBELLION.
V32 – Others are moving to obey him. Don’t be left out! Do not refuse to believe him and repent of your sins. Be reconciled to God.
And for the believer, obey his word now, obey the Holy Spirit.