Jesus told a parable of two sons, one who said he would obey the Father, but didn’t, and the other who said he wouldn’t obey but did, which Matthew relates in chapter 21 verses 23-32. The son who said he would obey and then didn’t represented the nation of Israel in Jesus’ day. They said they wanted to do God’s will, but they constantly disobeyed. They were phony, just going through the motions. It is dangerous to pretend to obey God when our hearts are far from him because God knows our true intentions. Our actions must match our words.

Our words and our behavior should be consistent. Ultimately, it is not what we say but what we actually do that speaks the loudest. What is it in the Word of God that I profess to believe but never actually practice? It’s a question worth our attention.

Come and worship with us at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Runge at 409 N. Wilbern. Sunday School is at 9 a.m. Worship is at 10 a.m.