How much faith does it take to obey? No, really, do I need a whole lot of faith coming from God to do what He tells me to do? When it comes to certain things he tells me to do, some have said, “It takes more faith than what I already have!” Consider the example of the disciples encounter with Jesus recorded in Luke 17: 1-10. It is becoming one of my favorite passages of Scripture…and you will see why in this blog. Jesus is instructing his disciples on the need to extend forgiveness to those who offend you. But when he says if a brother offends you SEVEN times in one day, and SEVEN times he asks for forgiveness, then the instruction is to forgive him those SEVEN times. The disciple’s response? “Lord, increase our faith!” (vs. 5) Lest we be too quick to be critical of our friends, consider what the instruction is. SEVEN times someone offends me and SEVEN times he repents, then SEVEN times I am to forgive him. Honesty says that forgiving someone who offends us ONE time is tough enough…but SEVEN times? Give me a break! Thereby, the disciples (speaking for many of us today!) respond by saying, “Lord increase our faith!” “We can’t do that, Lord…we need more faith to be able to do that!” But Jesus said the need for more faith wasn’t the issue at all. In fact, if one had faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, he would have MORE than enough…for that small amount of faith is enough to move even huge trees! (vs.6) Then Jesus brings home the truth with this great application. A slave comes in from doing his duty in the fields. Nothing unusual about that. But it would be very unusual for his master to order him to prepare his own meal first and only later to prepare his master’s meal. No…rather the slave prepares his master’s meal, then prepares something for himself. That is very usual! And when the slave finished, there would be no acknowledgement of thanks for doing what was expected of him. The application? When faced with the need to obey, our response should not be to plead for more faith, because it does not take faith, it takes obedience. Our response should be, “we are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (vs. 10) Now, I have come to appreciate this passage lately because it removes my excuses for not doing what I need to do …you know…”I would do that, in fact, I know I NEED to do that, but…” No, I just need to do that and in doing so, respond in humility as an unprofitable servant doing my duty. While this applies specifically to the need of forgiving someone, it extends to any of the things asked of me in Scripture. What I am finding is…in responding by obedience my duty can become…my delight!
