a little lip is better than lip service.

Ezekiel 18:25-28; Ps 25 Remember your mercies, O Lord; Philippians 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

Take a few moments and read the gospel, the story of the Father and his two sons. The meaning is crystal clear.

You have one son who tells the father basically, "up yours!" He tells the father that there is no way he is going in the vineyard. We don't know why? We just know he flat out refused. Then as he walks away something happens. His mind begins to race. His hearts begins to pound. His conscience begins to cry out.


There is something about walking away that pricks us.

Whatever happens, all we know is later he returns and enters the vineyard and gets to work. As Jesus tells us in the gospel, "afterwards, he changed his mind and went."


The other son, responded in the positive to his father. HE said, "yes, sir." HE even responded with politeness and honor, calling his father, "sir." But all that talk led to little action. In fact, he ran off and did his own thing. He never returned. He had no intention of returning.

Which son did the Father's will? This is a no brainer, of course the first son.

For we all know, we can take a little lip as long as action follows, but lip service is good for nothing.

So which are we? Are we those that give God lip and then change our minds and return rather than keep walking away or are we the those who talk a big game, say all the right things, but when it comes right down to it, we don't do it?

Which one: a little lip and lot of action or lip service and no action at all.

Do we pray good a game and remain part of the do nothing party or do we get in there and get our hands dirty doing the will of the Father, no matter how many times we have to turn around and change our minds.

When it is all said and done there is more said then done, if you are the second son.

God is always open to change and changing often.

A promise to do can never take the place of performance, and fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds.