Kingdom Characteristics

Friends, greetings from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where I’m visiting with the Kollock family (and Teana’ who has been here for two weeks). Later today, we are driving to Oklahoma City to visit Stephanie and Caroline Faith who are at the OKC Children’s hospital. Thank you for your continued prayers for Caroline Faith. (The view this morning is from Stephanie’s kitchen, and not my study). 

in the previous passage of Luke, Jesus told us to think eternally. This will change the way we live now. Christ wants us to be “shrewd” in the way we live for him, for the world he is creating, and forever. 

In this passage (17:1-19), he turns himself from the Pharisees and the temporal kingdom they are trying to build, to his disciples and the characteristics of his eternal kingdom. 

It’s as though Jesus said, “This is what is important to unbelievers (16:1-18) and you see where it gets them (16:19-31). I want you to focus on these things.” What are those things? 

First: Prefer others. 1-2

Second: Forgive offenses. 3-4

Third: Have faith. 5-6

Fourth: Live humbly. 7-10

Fifth: Be grateful. 11-19

These may seem like small things compared to the unjust manager’s or rich man’s life, but they are not. These are the building blocks of a live lived “well.” I hope thinking on these things well will help you build a life that honors the Lord, and gives you spiritual, eternal influence with those around you.

- Reggie Weems