Do you hang out at sin saloon?

While waiting for a flight in an airport this weekend I watched movie on Netflix made 70 years ago.  “The Keys of the Kingdom” is the story of a priest, played by Gregory Peck, who lives his life in quiet service in a missions station in China. There is no scandal, no hidden sin. Father Chisholm is just a man of principle who faithfully serves God and people in life’s up’s and down’s. He is a good man!   

That was once high praise, but today it is reason for skepticism. We are cynics, accustomed to revelations of flaws and failures in our politicians and preachers. We do not believe in heroes anymore unless they are in the comics. We are afraid of people with uncompromising convictions.  The only people, it seems, who are deeply principled are terrorists!

Being good is often equated with lack of sophistication.  It is commonly believed that clever people will enjoy just enough rebellion to be ‘interesting.’ This idea has crept into the church and holiness, shown in goodness and kindness, in being faithful and true, are out of style. Many Christians are profane in speech without feeling any shame. They flaunt their sensuality, indulge their appetites, and play the power games of the world adeptly.  They desire to be known as people who are relevant or ‘in touch’ more than they desire goodness.  Yes, in fact, to be known as a ‘good’ person would likely hinder their social acceptance.

God wants us to be good people. Paul urged early church leaders to teach disciples to "devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." (Titus 3:14, NIV)  The list of the evidence of the life of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) includes the quality of goodness.  Are you good? Do you desire to be known for goodness?

Do not confuse a superficial piety with true goodness!  People who work at being better than others, who are extremely aware of the opinions of others and carefully craft each response and word to appear devout, come off as fake.  It’s just an act. Provoke them, tempt them enough and their rigid external controls will slip, exposing a heart that is corrupt.  That is not the goodness of the Spirit. Where the Spirit is transforming us into the likeness of Jesus, being good is no act, it is a way of life where love is real, selflessness is constant, faithfulness is life-long, integrity is above question, and service is deep and excellent.

"This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good." (Titus 3:8, NIV)  That word, “good,” is a translation of the word, “kalos” in the Koine Greek of the original text.  That word includes the meaning of beautiful, worthy, admirable, excellent, and genuine.  

 Christian, we need to rediscover the joy of living good lives.  Those are filled with God’s wisdom will not practice the pseudo-sophistication of this present world that allows them to sin on Friday night and sing God’s high praise on Sunday morning.  James tells us that those with true wisdom will "show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility." (James 3:13, NIV)

Good people may pass unnoticed. They will not be flamboyant.  They will serve without seeking reward. They will love even when it is hard. Why? Because that’s what Jesus did.  Their greatest desire is to hear these words when they stand before their Lord, Savior, and Judge - "Well done, my good servant!” (Luke 19:17, NIV)

Here is a word from the Word. Meditate on it and learn the way of the good.

"How well God must like you—
you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,

never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

You’re not at all like the wicked,
who are mere wind-blown dust—

without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row."

(Psalm 1, The Message)

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