The little set of verses in Matthew 21:28-32 reminds me of how patient God is with those who truly seek Him. Even those who make big mistakes will be accepted into the kingdom if they choose to repent and do the will of the Father.
In my growing up years I knew a few people who weren’t interested in the church at all as teenagers. Living their lives contrary to gospel principles seemed to be their goal. They were the last people I would have expected to see at church when they were younger, but things can change. I’ve heard through my network of friends that some of those people are now very active members. At first they said, “I will not”, but afterward they repented and went.
I know of others who were regulars at church, but now have fallen away. I have no idea whether they had attended because they wanted to, or because they were trying to please other people. At some point they had said, “I go, sir”, but later they went not.
The moral of the story to me is that there is still time to say “yes” if we haven’t been willing to do so in the past. There is also time for those who have fallen away to return. And, it’s more important what you actually do than what you say you will do.
Matthew 21:28-32
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.