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Good Intentions are No Excuse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We live in a culture where keeping a promise seems to be optional. Every year thousands of marriages end in divorce that began with two people promising to love one another for a lifetime. Making a promise is easy but keeping a promise can be tough. We should take our promises seriously and be careful not to make empty promises.

 

Matthew 21:28-32 is a parable that teaches why all of us should strive to be promise keepers. The difference between the two brothers is that one was a talker the other was a doer. What you say is important but in the end it's not so much what you say that really matters, it's what you do. The real bonus comes when we keep the promise.

 

Remember, as far as God is concerned it's not who you used to be that makes a difference - it's who you are becoming today.

Are you a talker or a doer?

 

 

 

 

GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NO EXCUSE
Matthew 21:28-32

 

Making a promise is easy - keeping a promise can be tough.

 

I. Good Intentions Are Good, But Not Good Enough

 

Have you heard the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions?"

 

A. Good Intentions Are No Excuse For Doing Nothing.

 

God will not settle for empty promises when we are capable of doing so much more.

 

B. Good Intentions Are No Excuse For Doing Harm.

 

Some use their "good intention" excuse to soothe their guilty conscience for not having practice Biblical methods.

 

Those who alienate people through constant criticism often offer the excuse of good intentions.

 

II. Your Walk Is More Important Than Your Talk.

 

Religious talk is not enough you must walk your talk.

 

Which of the two did the will of his father? Matthew 21:31

 

The one approved didn't say the right thing but he did the right thing.

 

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26

 

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:7

 

“It is not what we preach and pray, but what we practice and believe that makes us Christians.” Francis Bacon

 

II. Who You're Becoming Is More Important Than Who've You've Been.

The Pharisee movement began to revitalize Judaism and they were successful.

 

Eventually their intense passion was replaced by cold-hearted legalism.

 

I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did... Matt 21:31-32 NIV

 

Jesus offers the chance to become a new person by the power of the Holy Spirit and leave yesterday behind forever.

 

SUMMARY: Recovery begins with sincere repentance and commitment to Him.

 

It's not who you use to be that makes a difference - it's who you are becoming today.

 

Are you a talker or a doer?