Why do we do what we do? That is a huge question! What motivates good behavior? And does it matter who or what motivates us as long as what we do is good? The Bible is clear that what or who motivates us is important.

A few weeks ago we looked at Jesus teaching in Matthew 6:1-18 during our weekend services. Using giving, prayer and fasting as examples, Jesus uses the refrain that we are to do godly things in secret and our Father who is unseen will reward what is done in secret. What a test! Is it enough to have God’s approval and attention, devoid of human recognition? Is the unseen attention of God greater than the here and now verbal affirmation of people?

Jesus’ conclusion is that if we do things for others to see, then that is the primary reward we’ll get – the attention of people. But if we do things truly to or for God, then we get the attention and reward of God. Hmmm … which is really more significant?

Jesus is warning us about a thing the Bible calls “eyeservice.” In the original Greek language the word translated “eyeservice” is literally “eye slavery.” It was used by the Apostle Paul as a kind of pun in Colossians 3:22 where Paul encourages slaves to obey their earthly masters “not only when their eye is on you” but from a sincere heart. There is a parallel instruction found in Ephesians 6:6.

In the texts to slaves, the danger the Apostle Paul is addressing is human approval – doing things only when someone is looking over you. Jesus speaks to the same danger. We don’t do good things just to be recognized by people. True integrity is doing the right thing, the good thing especially when no human is watching, knowing that God never misses a thing. Our Father is the rewarder of things done in secret! The attention of God is priceless!

Jesus is challenging us to be free of the control or the opinions of others. He is questioning our motivation for what we do or don’t do. Many of us do the right thing more because of what others think, rather than what God thinks. When we are motivated by what others think, we have pushed aside the importance of what God thinks.

The question we have to continually ask ourselves is this – whose opinion do we care about most? Whose recognition matters most? Who will I allow to shape my thoughts, values, decisions and actions? Beware of slavery to the eyes of others (eyeservice). Seek the Eyes that are always seeing and able to see below the surface deep into our souls.

Glen
Follow me @twitter.com/gelliott

The longer I live the more time itself is a mystery to me. Can it really seem to speed up? Where did all the time go? It is more a theory than reality? How does one really grasp the meaning of time? This is the stuff of philosophy. It is also a part of faith.

There’s a deeply profound announcement Jesus makes right from the start in Mark 1:15. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” One sentence, but what a huge announcement. The TIME has come! There are two words in Greek for “time.” One is “chronos”, from which we get the word “chronology.” It is clock, calendar or cell phone time that we look at to keep an appointment or stay on schedule.

Then there is the word “kairos.” It too is translated time, but it is more about an event or better, an opportunity. This is the time Jesus is referring to. Jesus is God breaking into our lives, our circumstances. His presence is an amazing opportunity that literally change life. The kingdom of God – God’s presence and influence is here – wow! That’s an opportunity!

Then notice the response Jesus asks of us. First he commands us to repent. Repent at its core means a change of mind. God, through Jesus, is breaking into our lives and it requires that we change the way we think. And that results in a change of heart. We think differently, and our values and direction change. We now live for God, not ourselves. We have a way bigger reason to live. Everything changes. We call that transformation.

But it doesn’t stop there. Then Jesus commands us to believe. Belief in the Bible is never just a mental thing. Belief isn’t just about information that we now accept. It is that and more. It is believing that results in action. It is a verb! It is clear trust in God and the ways of Jesus to cause us to act according to God’s will and way. And if we are to act, we have to have a plan. How will we respond to how God is leading us?

We need to enter into the kairos experience. Jesus is alive. He breaking into our life and world. He expects things to change. What do we hear him saying to us? How do we need to change our thinking and our way of life? Will we believe or trust him enough to change the way we act?

I promise you that Jesus is still in the kairos business. He is still speaking to us and wants to move us. Are you hearing him? Do you sense his work in and around you? What is he saying to you and are you willing to act on it? Don’t miss the best game in town. Jesus wants to take us on an adventure that will flip us upside down (repent) and lead us to a better way of living (believe)! Don’t resist it, avoid it or miss it. Engage with God and really live!

Glen
Follow me @twitter.com/gelliott