“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, 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. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28-32 NIV
Just a few days before He went to the cross, Jesus told this parable, in the temple courts. I believe He was sending a message both to the religious leaders who were scheming to crucify him, and to the common person who was still living in sin and would contemplate His crucifixion just days later.
There are many people who start off strong; they hear the gospel message and embrace it, but never completely surrender nor follow through with their commitment to serve God. Many of the Pharisees fell into this category. They confessed faith in God and went through a lot of religious activity, but never embraced Jesus nor made Him their Lord. The message to those religious leaders, and to us, is this: You can talk about serving God all you want, but unless you actually serve Him, it amounts to nothing.
There are also many people who initially reject the gospel message. They don’t want to pursue a righteous life pleasing to God and don’t pretend to. But at some point down the road, they realize how empty life without God really is, and they change their mind. They surrender their lives to God and begin serving Him. The tax collectors and prostitutes fell into this category. Jesus message to them, and to us, is this: No matter what you’ve done or said in the past, God loves you and will forgive you. You can enjoy a relationship with Him, and He will accept you into heaven for all eternity. Simply repent and start serving Him.
God gave this same message in the Old Testament through the prophet Ezekiel.
“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Ezekiel 18:21-23 NIV
Peter, drove home the same point in his second letter.
Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9b NIV
So however you’ve started your journey in life, know that God loves you and wants to save you. If you’ve already confessed your belief in Him and are serving Him, follow through with your commitment. Let nothing stop you from finishing strong! And if you’ve rejected Him up until this point, it’s not too late to turn it all around and start serving Him. He desires a relationship with you regardless of the sins you’ve already committed.
Perhaps there’s no greater example then the thief who was crucified next to Jesus.
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 NASB
It’s not how you start, but how you finish!