Good Intentions
For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him. Luke 14:28-29
Most of us have heard the proverb – The road to hell is paved with good intentions. It is thought to have been said by Bernard of Clairvaux in 1150. It refers to individuals who may have had good intentions in undertaking some good thing but then failed to act. The inaction may be the result of procrastination, laziness or some other reason, but the good intention just was not accomplished. As a result, it became meaningless.
There are a few good illustrations that can be taken from this. I first think of the number of people who will say, “I will become a Christian someday,” but they fail to receive Christ as their Savior before death. Others give some consideration to it, but after counting the (perceived) cost, they decide against it. Obviously, they failed to count the greatest cost.
In the text, who would begin a construction project without first determining how much it will cost? We have all seen structures that were never completed because of running out of finances.
A counselor hears these words often — “I am going to change.” It sounds good but ends up being nothing but words. The same thing takes place when revival meetings are held. The Spirit of God brings conviction at the preaching of the Word of God and there will be those who will determine to make changes in their lives, but they fail to carry through with their decision. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Colossians 1:18 speaks of allowing Christ to have the preeminence in our lives. However, acknowledging Christ’s preeminence and examining our lives to make certain that Jesus Christ is Lord in every area of our lives are two different matters.
It is not enough to say, “God knows my heart!” Our intentions must be turned into action. In a battle, Saul spared many animals to be used to sacrifice unto the Lord but disobeyed in the process. Samuel told him, “Hath he LORD as a great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD (1 Samuel 15:22)? Saul’s intentions may have been good but He disobeyed the Lord in the process.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 1:17).
One of the keys to carrying out good intentions is to PRACTICE IMMEDIACY. Many have said that later they would do something and then totally forget about it. The Apostle Paul in Acts 16 received a vision of the need in Macedonia. Verse 30 states, IMMEDIATELY we endeavored to go.
Planning and follow through are two important keys to accomplishing the will of God in our lives. The follow-through, however, must not be down the road as one who thought to be a disciple said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (Matthew 8:21). His father might have lived many years.
How serious are your commitments to the Lord? That will be the deciding factor as to whether you follow through on them and whether you plan appropriately.
The late George Stiekes served in several churches through his ministry. In his later years, he published a daily newsletter he called Reverent Reflections. We draw from his stock of devotions for occasional articles here on Proclaim & Defend.
Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash