the    sides

Random Thoughts while reading Luke 17.

If someone jacks you up 7 times and 7 times he comes back and says “I repent”, forgive him.

To this the disciples answered - “Increase our faith!”

In other words - we don’t have enough faith so you make us have enough faith. I’m ashamed to say - I’ve prayed that. Increase my faith. I say “ashamed” because of Jesus’ next words.

He says if you have the amount of faith the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain. I look at mountains every day now. I never get tired of staring at them. I’m amazed at their mass and how out here we are completely at the mercy of the mountain.

Avalanches, rock slides, wind sheers - we can’t control or manage any of those things.

So Jesus says that the amount of your faith is not the problem. He then tells the story of a servant who just does what he is supposed to do and doesn’t expect praise for it.

I don’t think I’ve ever connected the dots until today. Forgiveness is the “business” of a believer. Grace is everyday currency of the redeemed. To forgive someone or give grace should not be a big deal or even praised. It’s just what we do.

Jesus’ stiff words to the disciples was basically this - you asking for more faith to be what you are supposed to already be is entirely missing the point. Just do it. Just be it. Don’t get all “spiritual” on us and ask for more faith - just be the servant you’re supposed to be.

I think that some tough love that some of us need - there comes a point in your walk with Jesus where it’s no longer an issue of knowledge or even faith. It’s just a matter of obedience.

Ouch.
Ouch.