Sept. 14, 2005

Luke 17:1-10 "And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you." v. 6 As we all know, life can throw us some pretty tough curves. Every one of us has some situation in our life that has caused difficulty and pain to some degree. Jesus knew that. He told us that offenses will certainly come. But here, He describes one, in the form of someone who repeatedly sins against us, yet realizing his wrong, repents. Jesus told us to forgive 70 x 7! In response, the disciples, understanding how hard it is to continually offer such forgiveness, ask for an increase in their faith. Jesus told them the verse I quoted above, and then offers an illustration. Servants should not expect thanks or reward for simply doing their job. He was telling them, and us, that their are some things He expects us to do. Forgiveness is one of those. "Forgive those who sin against you, or your Father won't forgive your sins" (paraphrase). But the with commands He gives us, He also gives the ability to do them. God has given to us all the "measure of faith", Rom. 12:3. He has given to us the faith needed to forgive that person who hurts us, to love that unlovable person, the faith to cross the stormy sea. Jesus said, "if you love Me, keep My commands". So let us out of our love for Him take our place as His servants, knowing that it is God who is at work in us both to will, and to do of His good pleasure.