(Mat 21:28-32 NLT) “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing with hurdles to answered prayer. Yesterday we looked at the first hurdle, “Learning about prayer, but not practicing it.” Today we will look at hurdle #2, which is actually very close to the first, “Mental assent, with no action.” When you simply assent mentally you intellectually accepting the Word as true – admiring it and agreeing with it in your mind – but you don’t allow it to impact your life. This doesn’t do you any good. In essence, mental assent agrees with God in principle, but not the point where the agreement effectuates change in behavior and activity.
The mental assenter affirms that the Bible came from God, that it is God’s revelation, and that every word of it is true. However, when crisis comes, this person does not rely on God to actually DO what the Bible says. For example, this person may say, “God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19). But when there is a need, this person looks to everyone but God to fulfill it. A person who lives this way says, “Lord, Your Word is powerful and mighty! Thank you for Your Word.” But I can imagine God saying, “Okay, now when are you going to actually perform what you say you believe?” I think this is a significant hurdle to overcome for many. Mentally assenting to the fact that God answers prayer is one thing, but then actually praying, in faith, from a believing heart, is quite something else.
Look at our focus text this morning and read it carefully. In this passage Jesus taught a parable which is commonly referred to as the parable of the two sons. In the parable the first son was initially rebellious. His first reaction to his father’s request was to say, “No, I won’t go.” Mentally, he did not react properly to his father. But the text says that later he “changed his mind.” And he did not just change it to the point where he gave mental assent, no, he actually got up and did what his father asked him to do. On the other hand, his brother’s initial reaction was positive. When asked to go work he quickly responded, “Yes, sir, I will.” His mind agreed with his father, but not to the point where it led to action. This son gave his father lip service and never performed the father’s will. What’s the point of the parable? Jesus actually explained it in the end of the passage. Many of those listening to Jesus were part of the religious ‘in-crowd.’ But Jesus explained how the overlooked and dejected would make it into the Kingdom of God before his them, because those present had the tendency to listen and mentally assent, without ever allow His words to change their lives. The tax collectors (known for being corrupt) and prostitutes, however, were willing to hear and DO what Jesus was teaching and the result was changed lives!
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that your life will never truly change until you resolve to DO what the Father has instructed in His Word. Mentally agreeing that you need to pray and actually praying are two different things.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. I am thankful that I have gotten to the point where my first reaction to Your Word is positive. I quickly agree with Your Word. However, unlike the son in the parable who just agreed with his lips, I declare by faith, that I will also agree with my legs. I am committed to doing all You instruct me to do. I agree with my mind, I receive with my heart, and I perform with my legs; dutifully committed to doing all that You instruct me to do this year! 2012 will be the best year of my life because my learning will influence my living like never before! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
