Articles
“Increase Our Faith!”
Reading: Luke 17:1-19
Faith converts belief into action. As we learn more about who God is and what He desires for our lives, true disciples conform their conduct to the calling of the gospel. Yet as Jesus charges his followers to rebuke sin, forgive repentant sinners, and make it a consistent practice, they admit a need for greater faith (vv. 1-5).
We all can relate to the disciples in this cry for help. We are never done growing in our faith, and they likely saw these commands as daunting, challenging, or even unattainable as we sometimes do (v. 6). Each day, the Lord invites us to trust Him more, step past our comfort zones, and rely on God’s strength and wisdom to exercise greater obedience. Even that mustard-seed-sized progression makes a lasting difference in our soul’s journey to heaven.
Two important attitudes should come as we recognize our faith increasing: first (vv. 7-10), we are humbled to acknowledge God working in our lives, and we resolve to serve Him with greater zeal. Rather than pointing to our increased faith as a personal accomplishment, we confess that God is the reason for all our goodness; we are simply carrying out the will of our Master. And second (vv. 11-19), we praise and thank God for the transformation in both our character and conduct. This, once more, takes the focus off of self-reliance and gives all the credit to the One who uses our obedient faith for His purposes and glory.
