BIBLE READING: Luke 12.35-48

The way things are in our world, faithfulness is rare. Our culture supports the pursuit of the immediate and trendy, conditioning hearts and minds to move from thing to thing and person to person without much thought. We are encouraged to try activities and friendships on like clothing to find the right fit. And though there’s nothing wrong with searching for the talents and relationships that will allow us grow, we must plant the seeds of faithfulness in our heart.

Faithfulness is the basic calling of every believer. After all, “we are saved by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2.8). “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11.6). It is fundamental and critical; but do we understand the expected fruit of faithfulness? Jesus instructs us with a parable in Luke 12.35-48.

“Who then in the wise and faithful manager?” (Luke 12.42). It is someone…

• …Always ready to serve the master (Luke 12.36). These men had a “mundane” role, but they were ready the moment the master knocked on the door.  They were waiting and prepared to do what the master employed them to do. We must understand our role as servants (Luke 17.10) and always be prepared to serve, even in the most mundane ways. This requires determination to stay…
• …Awake and aware (Luke 12.37). Faithful people aren’t lulled into apathy. They aren’t looking for ‘better’ opportunities to fulfil their wants. They are determined to fulfil their role and make the best use of their time (Ephesians 5.14-17). Notice these faithful servants don’t indulge in thoughtless pleasure like others (12.45b). They don’t presume they’ll have another opportunity (12.45a). They don’t presume they know what the master is up to (12.46). They have their mind fixed on what the master wants from them.
• …Doing what they know is right (Luke 12.43). They don’t put off their work. They don’t let their desires get the best of them. They rise to the expectation, understanding the calling and purpose of the master (12.48b). They are stewards and the right thing to do is to honor the master with faithful service. As Paul would remind you and me, we are stewards, and it is required that stewards be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4.1-2)

It’s important to note that Jesus packages his answer in the context of the reward (Luke 12.42-44). It is the faithful who will be rewarded, blessed and served by the master himself (Luke 12.37b)! This should be obvious but sends a clear message: faithfulness is not optional. We have been called to faithfulness by the One who is faithful to always do what he says (Deuteronomy 7.9; 2 Thessalonians 3.3; Hebrews 10.23). It is by his faithfulness and our efforts to imitate it that we experience forgiveness of sins (Proverbs 16.6). And so, “let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3.3-4).

BIBLE READING: Titus 3.1-8

In our vocabulary, being “good” is often expressed as just a step above mediocre. Its usage lacks a punch, so we often attach to it superlatives such as “very” or “extremely” to increase its impact. It is sad that we have saturated such a potent word, especially one that is intended to express the nature of God and his work.

James 1.17 tells us, “Every good… and perfect gift comes from [God].” When God made the world, he saw that it was “good” (Genesis 1.4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). Everything was complete and just as it should be (“finished”, Genesis 2.1-2). The baseline reality of this world is that good comes from God. It is defined by the rightness with which he designed both the world and its working. Therefore, any deviation from God’s design, pattern and ways is no longer good. In fact, the scriptures paint a clear dichotomy in Genesis 3 when Eve chose to do something other than God’s will. There was not a gray area of ignorance or relative goodness; but a very definite line defining good and evil (Genesis 3.22). In the many years following that event humanity has blurred the line of good and evil; but it has only solidified the reality that goodness comes from God.

Fast forward the NT where Jesus exposed the faulty trust many put in relative goodness. A young, upstanding, religious man comes to him and says, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18.18-19). Jesus responds with, “Why do you call Me good?  No one is good except God alone.” This probably took him off guard as it might us. In terms of what society defined a “nice guy,” this young man probably was the quintessential model.  Yet he wasn’t good in terms of Jesus’ definition of good.  He loved his things more than God, and that was his downfall.

What we learn from this is when the Bible speaks of goodness as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22, Ephesians 5.9), it doesn’t simply mean that a person is a model citizen, polite, respectful, tolerant, and just nice. It means they are practicing righteousness and reflecting what they see God doing (3 John 1.11). For us to be good like God, we must be more than nice.  We must be holy and righteous, humble and penitent, forgiving and loving.

Some people put on a good show, yet they are not good.  God calls us to be holy in what we do and say because we have a heart that seeks goodness. We must not be merely polished with goodness, but filled with it (Romans 15.14).

“Goodness” is a lifelong pursuit of being recreated the way God intended for us to live. To experience the fruit of the Spirit called goodness is to show the holiness of God through a transformed heart ruled by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us… so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” (Titus 3.4-8)

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 4.31-32

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” (Unknown)

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a person who does not want kindness. In today’s society, people generally agree that more kindness would make the world a better place. It’s posted on billboards and social media sites, T-shirts, and posters for your home. Though kindness is not new, “Be kind!” has become an unofficial slogan on which a culture steeped in tolerance, affirmation, and acceptance runs.

But for all the talk about kindness, our world is growing increasingly unkind. If kindness is so popular, why isn’t it catching on? Perhaps this brand of kindness is lacking, pretending to do and be good while unable to produce any real changes. In a world that’s hungry for kindness but often finds only emptiness, we need a biblical reset.

Fundamentally kindness is an expression of faithfulness. In the Old Testament it is rooted in God’s “checed” [org. Hebrew], a powerful word representing grace, mercy, faithfulness, justice and kindness as a Divine conglomerate. In other words, these work together to demonstrate the robust nature of God’s commitment. In the Old Testament, people expressed kindness as a direct outflow of promises, causing them to communicate peace in the present and future to those needing mercy (Genesis 50.19-21). People often appealed for, and even expected, kindness based on their previous actions of faithfulness towards another (Genesis 19.19; 21.23; 47.29-31). Godly kindness isn’t moved by shallow responses, but by deeper desires for the long term good of others.

For this reason, the bible teaches that kindness is a leading quality. It’s not just trying to produce a smile on your face, but a change in your heart. When God showed kindness, it was with hope of bringing us to repentance (Romans 2.4). As we practice kindness, it must be with expectation of pointing to God’s mercy to and through us (see Luke 6.35). Cultural kindness views our actions as an end in itself, leading to inner peace and self-satisfaction. But these are short-lived because they have no inherent value. Instead, kindness is a means to the greater end of showing God’s mercy, forgiveness and love. So, kindness is of no value unless it leads others to change. Contrary to cultural kindness, biblical kindness wants the best in others even when they don’t want it for themselves. For this reason, kindness often comes at a cost.

As we learn from Jesus, kindness is a sacrificial quality. He gave, loved and served others for their good. In the face of injustice, "he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53.7). Kindness is most needed in the context of injustice wickedness, but can easily be discarded or weaponized. In fact, cultural kindness is often repackaged as a means of spite (“kill them with kindness”), but biblical kindness has no such motive. Instead, it speaks the truth in love and seeks to reconcile and serve as an expression of what we have experienced from God (Luke 6.32-35).

The world needs more kindness, but this brand of kindness will not be popular or even accepted by many. However, this kindness will have a lasting impact on this world and you (Proverbs 11.17). So, in a world where you can be anything, “be kind, like Jesus” (Ephesians 4.32).

BIBLE READING: Romans 5.1-5; Philippians 4.6-9

What does peace look like? For some it is sitting on a beach watching the waves roll in or being on a secluded mountain watching the sun rise. For others peace is a quiet moment at home when the house is clean, and the kids are asleep. For many, peace is the settling of coming home after a trip or enjoying the embrace of a loved one.

In a world fraught with stress and struggles, everyone longs to enjoy the settling of the soul. These scenes render snapshots of the effects of peace; but these are shallow glimpses of a deeper desire. You don’t find peace running away from problems because they must eventually be dealt with. Peace is only possible when reality is considered, and a solution presented that will last.

This is the foundation of our faith, through the gospel; that God has allowed for peace. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5.1). Jesus is our source of peace (Ephesians 2.14), and his death and resurrection are the focal point of our peace that substantiate and inform our belief (Romans 4.24-25). These choices demonstrate God’s desire for our peace; but the peace he offers is directed at our relationship with him NOT at our circumstances or with this life.

This is not peace like the world sees it. The peace many seek is often short-lived and superficial because it is thoughtless of this relationship. When many say peace what they really mean is, “I want things to be fine right now.” It is easy to become fixated on the present and not see the greater needs we have. Sickness, struggle, and death are realities of this world everyone will face. Escapism and temporary reprieve will not change that. We can enjoy the pleasure of the temporal because of God’s grace, but the fact is the things of this world are passing away.

To have peace we must be grounded in things beyond this life. As the song says, “Time is filled with swift transition, none on earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.” Ultimately, peace is a choice we make to be reconciled to God through Jesus. It comes from our practice of prayer and discipline of the mind (Philippians 4.6-9). It is deliberate choices from a settled confidence in what is and what is to be because God has told us. We can be at peace, with God. This is what settles our hearts to endure hard circumstances, love difficult people, and look forward in hope of better things.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14.27)

BIBLE READING: Philippians 4.4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

How could Paul expect us to rejoice always? This expectation seems contrary and obtuse to the challenges we often face. Joy is a positive emotion we often associate with happiness and good times. Quite frankly, we don’t typically feel joy in seasons of difficulty and sadness. How then can we have joy, always?

Paul’s situation teaches that joy is not based on circumstances—he was in prison while writing this joyful letter! So whatever joy is, it is a settled decision towards optimism. This is because the joy God expects us to have is deeply rooted in future hope:

• “Rejoice in hope” (Romans 12.12)
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15.13)
• …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus… who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross (Hebrews 12.1-2)
• “I have set the LORD always before me…Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices…” (Psalm 16.8-9)

Even if things are out of place in the present, God has promised resolution and glory for his people. Therefore, joy is a confident optimism that is settled in God’s power and presence (Psalm 16.11). We can and should rejoice in the Lord always because his promises are true.

The problem is, we can easily lose sight of God as we live in the flesh. We are bombarded with present needs and wants that steal our attention and affection. Some of this is self-inflicted as we are inclined to follow our foolish heart at times. We want a relationship to work, a pursuit to bring fulfillment, a pleasure to continue. We don’t always appreciate our limitations and the need for various seasons to shape us. Other times our lack of focus is the work of the devil. He plays to our wants and emotions. He deceptively emphasizes our understanding and perception of people and situations. We easily set our attention on present struggles and prolonged seasons of suffering and become discontent.

This world is full of joy-killers that drive us to seek temporal security, resolution and peace… but these do not bring joy. These things are nothing more than deceptions and distractions. The key to having joy is looking beyond the moment to what is ahead. Difficult seasons come to us all, especially those who live by faith. If all we have is the present, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15.19). But because we believe in the resurrection and eternal life, we can be confident that the best is yet to come (1 Corinthians 15.20-28). And in this hope, we can rejoice, always.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1.6-9)