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.

Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Recently I made a comment about this verse. I drew a conclusion but was it the right conclusion? Was it the only conclusion? Where else in scripture can I learn more about this telling tale?

Leviticus 19:23 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

As I pondered these verses together I began to draw lines between the verses and my own experience. There was a connection between the two which might not be obvious to all, may not apply to all, but in me I found relevance.

I was baptized in 1964. Immediately the deacons of the church started making plans for how they could use me. I was railroaded into becoming the county president of the Baptist Youth Fellowship. In this I had no foundation for promotion. I failed miserably. I even began to question my salvation.

I would have been better off if they had treated me as in Lev. 19:23 and treated me as uncircumcised until I began to bear fruit that indicated where my roots were formed. The BYF would have been better off also because I used up time which would have been more productive under the right leadership.

When we look to promote men and women within the church body the first requirement we look for is a history of devotion to the Word, to growth and the fruit which indicates where the roots are formed.

Numbers 24:11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour.

Learn the lessons and apply them appropriately.