September 5, 2025

Hey there, Friend

It’s the Smart Edit!
The Kingdom is not someday—it’s breaking in now.

This issue—Jesus is the Good, True, and Beautiful, heaven and earth overlapping, and more.

P.S. — Weird. Rabbits with 'horns' in Colorado are being called 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Take a look.

The Kingdom Unveils What Philosophy Could Only Whisper

Each week, we highlight a Kingdom Dynamic, a key insight into how God’s Kingdom works in real life …

What is it we really want out of life? To live well, to know what’s real, to encounter beauty that moves us.

The Greeks called these transcendentals—the good, the true, and the beautiful. The Gospel of the Kingdom announces that in Jesus, these deepest desires finally come home.

These were not just ideas but dimensions of ultimate reality. To pursue them was to seek the highest way of being human.

Yet their longing was only partial, pointing forward to something greater. In theological thought, we may see that General Revelation pointed to Special Revelation, specifically the special revelation of Christ himself.

THE GOOD (agathon) was the source of purpose and flourishing. Plato likened it to the sun, giving light to all things. Aristotle said the good was found in reaching one’s true end (telos, meaning end, purpose, or goal).

In Christian thought, this concept finds a deeper fulfillment. Our true telos includes natural flourishing, but surpasses it. It is union with God in Christ. We could say the telos of humanity reaches into the New Heavens and New Earth, reigning with Christ as King.

In Christ, we see the highest good … Laying down his life to reconcile us to the Father. Calling us and giving us access into his Kingdom. Offering a Life Design that flourishes in him. The promise of the New Heavens and New Earth.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights …” (James 1.17 NKJV).

THE TRUE (aletheia) meant reality unveiled. For Plato, truth was grasping eternal forms. In Christ, truth is no longer an abstraction. Jesus stated, “I am the truth.” And then he unfolds reality before us … the truth about everything for human flourishing.

THE BEAUTIFUL (kalon) was both aesthetic and moral. The Greeks linked beauty to harmony and nobility. Total beauty is experienced in the Lord. “One thing I have desired of the Lord … to behold the beauty of the Lord …” (Psalm 27.4 NKJV).

The Greek philosophers sought these transcendentals. They were on to something. Let’s go further. The Kingdom reveals them embodied: Jesus is the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.

As authentic Christ-followers (disciples), we’re not only invited to admire these transcendentals—we’re being shaped into them. In Him, the good of the Father shines, the truth stands, and the beautiful radiates.

So do you see the beautiful hope we have? Do you see what we can offer? … “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3.15 NASB).

What are the implications for parenting, education, spiritual formation, and more?

Holy Spirit, more and more, reveal to me the Good, True, and Beautiful in Jesus. May it fill my vision and heart. Let everything else fall into perspective. Amen.

SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

Signals & Shifts

Quick hits from around the world and under the radar—where faith, culture, and global currents intersect. Curated to help you see, pray, and act with Kingdom clarity.

🎃☕ “How to make pumpkin cold foam” is the top trending “how to make…” in the last week (Google Trends). And so it begins.

🩺 Better than one good exercise—these combination moves make you healthier.

🌐 Stolen children: thousands of Ukrainian kids held in Russia amid reports of online trafficking.

⏳ Live Longer. Dr. Francisco Contreras on simple steps to avoid disease.

✝️📈 Young adults lead resurgence in church attendance. New Barna data. First time in decades.

👀 Watchword. G.K. Chesterton: “The paradox of the Christian life is that to be really free, you must submit to the truth.”

Jesus. On a Mission to Bring Heaven & Earth Together.

What if heaven isn’t “somewhere far away”? Scripture hints it was meant to overlap with earth. Jesus is making that connection now—and one day they’ll be fully united. Quick 6:42 video from the Bible Project.

This awareness will expand your faith and prayer life.

On the pod

Success God’s Way: Principles, Push, and Tact (Ep 349). 

• Principles: unshakable, biblical first truths that set the foundation for success.

• Push: Spirit-empowered drive to overcome inertia, resistance, and fear.

• Tact: God’s wisdom in timing, tone, and method that transforms raw effort into fruitful outcomes.

Follow the link to listen. The JesusSmartX podcast is also available on your favorite listening app including Spotify.