Matthew 21:28-30 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. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

There is a comparison of behaviors within this telling. Much is made of the behaviors and some rush to judgment over behaviors. That is all they can see. The accusations against the Sadducees and the Pharisees was drawn it direct opposition to the acceptance of publicans and harlots. The connection for so many people is over behavior and behavior alone.

Where in this telling, anywhere in the surrounding verses does Jesus say or imply that one son was saved because of his behavior and that the other was lost? Nothing contained in the telling bears any relationship to sonship, yet those who are quick to judge make an unwarranted connection between behavior and loss of sonship. Nowhere does Jesus make any comparison of behavior and sonship.

One issue that is used often in comparison is the tree which is cut down and burned because it did not bare any fruit. Man is like a tree, Psa. 1:3 and Jer. 17:8. It is indicative of personal behavior and therefore subject to examination.

Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

The tree planted in the vineyard had no connection to the Vine. Just as the lack of fruit is not connected to Vine, so also is the behavior not connected to sonship. It is one of those things we do as people, to draw unjust conclusions about behavior and salvation.

We are not the vine dresser and it is not our responsibility to judge another’s salvation.