In his book, The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers wrote about the difference between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant: “Ask Shaq to do something and he’ll say, “No, I don’t want to.” But after a little pouting, he’ll do it. Ask Kobe and he’ll say, “OK” and then he will do whatever he wants.”

Jesus told a story of a father who had two sons (Matt.21:28-32). He told both of them to go and work in his vineyard. The first son said that he wouldn’t do it, but later changed his mind and went to work. The second son said that he would go, but then he never did. The lesson is that God expects more than lip service from us; he wants to see some true obedience.

When it comes to obedience, are you more like Shaq or Kobe?