Honest Faith

On one occasion Jesus’ authority was questioned by some Jewish leaders and He replied to them with a question. If they would tell him the source of John’s baptism (whether it was from heaven or from men), He would answer their question. With man’s wisdom, “they began reasoning among themselves.” (Read about this in Matthew 21.)

This article is not about the wit and wisdom of Jesus. Nor is it about his ability to think quickly on His feet. Rather, it is about the value that God places on simple honesty and genuine faith.

Negative examples of our day teach our children how to hide truth through rationalization, how to deceive without using lying words; how to twist meanings of words, how to dodge a question by answering a related but different question. Consider how the media has participated, how politicians have made it their profession, and how many adults have played the same games.

A husband is asked, “What made you late from work?” Or, “What happened to that money in the checking account?”

And he begins to reason . . .

A teen is asked, “Where will you be going?” “Who is going with you?” “Will there be parents there?”

And she begins to reason . . .

A friend is asked, “I thought you were going to attend; what happened?”

And he begins to reason . . .

A parent is reminded, “You said you would take us kids to the park.”

And he begins to reason . . .

The Jews were trapped. If they admitted that John’s authority was from heaven, Jesus would rebuke them for not responding to John. Yet, if they said that it was from man, they feared the people. So, they rationalized. Their answer was not truthful, and yet, it was not a blatant lie. They began to reason and cleverly responded, “We do not know.”

We might be impressed or even turn a slight grin with Jesus’ response, a refusal to answer. It is almost like a punch line to a joke. But wait! The parable that follows IS the punch line and it is meant for us!

In the parable that followed, two sons were asked to work for their father. One agreed but did no work; the other refused but later regretted his answer and did the work. Jesus explained how their actions proved to be their true answers. He applied the parable to the people of his day by indicating that those who were hated by society would enter the kingdom ahead of the religious elite. But, why?

The first son represents the Jewish leaders who questioned Jesus. They claimed to do God’s will but did not do it. The second son represents the sinners whose lives were opposed to God at first, but who ultimately turned to do God’s will. But there is more….

The Jews tried to trap Jesus, yet they were trapped themselves. They believed in the power of their own intellect and reasoning. In their unbelief they refused the “way of righteousness” when John came. Then, when they were confronted with Jesus they rebelled with rationalizations in order to hide their unbelief. They began to reason....

In contrast to the Jewish leaders, the sinners, when confronted with Jesus, acted in faith and turned from their former rebellion. The faith of both made an honest response toward God. The leaders had no faith and rejected Jesus; but in honest faith the sinners turned to Jesus.

The reasoning of man tempts the lips with lies. Yet an honest heart needs no words; it responds to God and His word in faith.

We are all asked by God, “Will you trust Me?”

How will you respond? 

   Do you feel trapped by the question?

   Do you know the answer, but don't want to admit it?

      Will you begin to reason? 

          Will you speak at all?

Ultimately your actions will tell the truth and will reveal your faith!

Mark Stinnett

April 30, 2023