Being Spiritually Real: Luke 12:40 (Goodness)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Goodness?

Describe an encounter you have had with Jesus that happened unexpectedly. Be specific.

Write your answer in the space provided.

Read Luke 12:35-40:

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Record your first thoughts or reactions to what Jesus is communicating to you through these verses.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' comments on Luke 12:40.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. This battle is not against sin, difficulties, or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn."

Do you agree with this statement?

Oswald adds:

"The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him."

Why do you think Oswald describes this as our 'greatest need'?

Oswald observes:

"Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits."

Given all your other priorities, how important is it for you to 'remain true to God'?

Oswald comments:

"This readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle— we must be spiritually real."

Describe the difference between being religious and being spiritually real. What does it mean to you to be spiritually real?

Based on your answer in Step 9, in a typical day how spiritually real are you?

Regarding being spiritually real, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald concludes:

"If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready."

Take a moment to ask Jesus to speak to you about what it means for you to be 'ready for Him'.

If you like, you can write down what you receive in the space provided.

Is there anything you would like to thank and/or praise Him for?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

How much has this task increased the fruit of God's goodness in your present disposition?