“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” -1 Thess. 5:15
If ever I have been in trouble in life it has been because of my sense of humor. Sometimes, my humor takes me where my brain should know better. One of those times was at Mount Carmel Bible Camp. I was the guest preacher for one of their summer camps. I started out that first evening by introducing my family, and my story sounded a little like this:
I would like to introduce you to my lovely wife, Beverly. I told them we had been married for, at the time fifteen wonderful years, seventeen total.
We had four children ages 14, 9, 8, and 1. I remember when Beverly first brought up having a fourth child….we were vacationing in Montana when it happened (pause). You know it took three days for her to walk to Williston from where I pushed her out of the car.
But I am glad that we had our fourth child. My oldest daughter wasn’t, though. The other day, she was babysitting for us, and when we came home, she said, “Why did you have to have another kid?” I told her the truth, “Honey, you can’t blame us if we wanted to keep trying till we got one we liked.’
I had a lot of fun that night; my kids and the congregation laughed. I had their attention, and I went on to preach a message that I was to learn later brought two college kids to the Lord. However, what I remember best was what happened after the service. As I left the chapel there was a woman waiting for me. Long before I walked up to her I could tell she was mad. Her eyes were like daggers. She had a little spittle running down her chin. One hand was on her hip and the other was pointed at me. She said, “Pastor, I hate your preaching style. In fact, I hate everything about your preaching. If I talked about my children like that I would have to put them in therapy.” I said, “I believe you.”
Turns out she was a pastor’s wife and that whole joy of the Lord part of the bible had escaped her attention. She spent the whole rest of the week criticizing my very existence. Praise the Lord.
Ever since then I have paid attention to my humor barometer, so that I don’t get myself into trouble. It’s the expression on my wife’s face. When I am getting dangerously close to the edge she raises her eyebrow. She is giving me a singular message! Here it is…
You be Good!
In our lesson for today Paul raises the eyebrow of God. The message is clear, uncomplicated and pure. God is raising his eyebrow, his hand is on his hip, his finger is pointed and he is saying, “You be good.” Sometimes the word of God comes sweet and comforting and other times it marches in with accusation. Sometimes God’s word shows up and comforts the afflicted and other times it comes and afflicts the comfortable. This is a hard word. Here it is.
Faith without good work is dead! “You be good!” A lawyer who once questioned Jesus was a man who knew God’s Word frontward a backward. This lawyer (teacher of the Law) knew all the answers there were concerning God’s Law. He spent hours upon hours studying God’s word, hours meditating on the Law of God. He not only went to church, he went to weekly prayer meetings. He went to Bible Study. He was a religious addict. He searches out Jesus and asks him the perfect faith question. The question that at some time, in our existence every one of us must ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers his question with one of his own. “What does it say in the law?” And the lawyer supplies the perfect answer. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and heart and your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus tells him plainly, through a story, the sobering truth: if you have knowledge about God but you do not care for the needs of those around you, there is no evidence of salvation. If you aren’t the type of person who loves your neighbor you are not the type of person who is likely saved.
James 2:17 Faith by itself, if it has no works (goodness), is dead.
Gal. 5:14 The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mean, selfish, self-centered behavior, according to James and much of the bible is evidence that we have not been fully transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And perhaps, not touched at all!
The appointed task of faith in Jesus is transformative. If it is not transforming, it is not faith in Jesus. Encountering Jesus changed us. You cannot encounter the goodness, mercy and gifts of Jesus Christ and expect to not be changed. Part of the this transformative change is a simple call to do GOOD!
You Be Good!
Have a Great Week!
-Pastor Corey