I have always loved Jesus’ parable of the two sons.  The question that comes up from the story is what is more important attitude or action?  The reality to Jesus is that both matter equally.  You can do the right thing with a bad attitude or for the wrong reasons and still be at fault.  You can also have the best attitude and best of intentions and not follow through and still be wrong.  Let’s look at the story together today in Matthew 21. 

28 “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.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “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. 32 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.

Clearly the Pharisees are represented by the first son.  They “obey” the law but seem to completely miss the point and in turn miss Jesus the promised Messiah.  Perhaps Peter is an example of the second son.  Shortly after this he promises that he would never deny Jesus only to do it three times.  We probably have all found ourselves in this story maybe even as both sons at one time or the other.  The point is that God cares equally about our attitudes and actions.  In fact if anything He seems to care more about our hearts.  We all will fail and struggle but the real question is do we long to obey and serve God?  Do we love Him enough to want to do what He asks of us even if we do fail?  I pray that God gives us all both a heart that longs to follow Him and the strength to follow through.