So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"(Luke 17:10 – ESV)
Jesus had spoken to the disciples about forgiveness and our responsibilities toward our brothers and sisters. Upon hearing this seemingly impossible task, the disciples had asked Jesus to increase their faith. He then described the potential power of an increasing faith, the ability to do the impossible with regard to relationships. And then Jesus teaches them about what an increasing faith is not, but how it begins (by being faithful).
In essence Jesus says, “You want an increased faith? Well let me tell you what it isn’t, it isn’t just fulfilling some growing list of duties, doing that is just the measure of faith, or faithfulness.”
Jesus describes faith’s personality; faith realizes God doesn’t need it, it needs God, and it is not our faith that makes things happen it is God. Our faith is in the ability of our Master not in our ability to muster, not in what we can do but in what He can do, not what or how much we do for Him, but in what He does for us, not in who we are but in who He is. If you can see this and say that you will have begun to understand increasing faith.
Most people don’t really want an increased faith, however. They want to work for God at minimum wage. They just want to know what is required and do what they think they are required to do. They simply want to dispatch their duty.
Most people are under the impression that the more you sacrifice for the Lord, the godlier you are. That’s a lie, and that isn’t increasing faith. Faith doesn’t see it as sacrifice, in the sense that sacrifice is something we don’t want to do. Faith sees it as something we get to do, and we want to be able to do, and as our faith is increased we can do, as worship, as the sacrifice of praise.
This is the beginning of understanding, that faith is more than duty.
4 comments:
So many things to (re)learn.....so little time...but I am thankful that I have at least begun to understand increasing faith!
Me too, and me too...for anyone reading this, make sure to see the other posts in this little series, they all have the same "faith" graphic...it is a cumulative effect, there are two posts before this one and there will be (are) more posts after this one...
It's interesting to me how we think we're doin good, thinkin' rightly, got it all together thank-you very much and bam....the light bulb comes on and we don't even know how we got where we're at!
It's a scary thing....the mind!
Just like faith, giving is often misconstrued. My husband always talks about giving in the framework of it being a priviledge rather than a duty. So many folks look at the duty side of it and miss the real blessings given to those who are excited about their ability to give.
Post a Comment