"Faith, when it is strong, has a high expectancy about it, which helps it bear with the assaults of men of the world. A man readily puts up with the inconvenience of the present, when he has great joys in store for the future." - Charles Spurgeon
Luke 17:1-5 says - "Then said He unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."
In this passage of Scripture, the Lord impressed upon His disciples a very plain and practical duty; that is, of forgiving each other their offences. This duty of forgIving offences seemed so difficult to the disciples. They considered it to be a tough demand from the Master.
They felt that this "command" was so contrary to their natural feelings or inclinations - which was to harbor resentments. It implied being in an elevated place above the petty feelings of malice and revenge. It also called for a known and willful resistance against the maxims of the world which teach the opposite - that is, to cherish rather than forgive the memory of the offences.
The disciples were moved by the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving "offenses." Immediately, they became conscious of their own weakness to deter such temptations. They grew fearful lest they should stumble or be offended with what they met up with or be the cause of offence to others. They were all too aware of the resentment of their minds when injured and provoked by one act - let alone by one committed "seven times in a day."
They were greatly moved by the difficulty of this requirement.
So, what did they do?
It is interesting to note that this passage of Scripture offers the only instance in the entire New Testament in which a request is unanimously solicited of Christ by all twelve of the disciples.
Sensing the weakness and deficiency of their faith and the need for greater grace in order to carry out this difficult and responsible part assigned by the Master, they cried out to Him - "...Lord, increase our faith." In other words, "add to us faith"... - "give us more faith."
They realized that this work of pardoning every offence of every man - continually - was extremely difficult - even to them as disciples of the Lord. They also realized that this duty of forgiving offences is one of the most difficult duties of the Christian walk. Hence, they saw their need for more grace in order to comply with Jesus' requirements.
"...Lord, increase our faith."
In other words, "We need Your help, Lord! We need fresh supplies of grace. Increase our faith! We understand that faith is not produced by man - by freewill or human power. It is a gift of God. Since You are God, have Divine Power, and are the author and finisher of our faith, we ask You now to increase it, add to it, and draw it forth into exercise. Come and strengthen it, for we know that as the grace of faith grows and is strengthened, all other graces will grow and be strengthened."
In this passage of Scripture, we see how the Lord used a "teaching" to show the disciples how very small their faith was. He could have used anything, but He chose to use the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving "offenses" to move them to see their insufficiency and to bring them to a common appeal for more grace - "Lord, increase our faith!"
Perhaps God has used this message so far to show you your need for greater grace - concerning offences and forgiving injuries.
Or perhaps He has been using overwhelming odds, events, reports, or circumstances to show you that you are not fit to meet the challenges or emergencies that lie before you.
You need greater strength...power beyond yourself... God's help.
The way you get it is by praying the simple prayer which the disciples used - "Lord, increase my faith!"
In praying for an increase of "faith," you are acknowledging that yours is too weak to meet the challenges that lie before you. In praying for more "faith," you are also acknowledging your own insufficiency to produce it.
"Faith" is a gift of God.
"Lord, increase my faith."
In other words, "Help me to know more, believe more, and understand Your Word better. And help me to exercise the faith I receive from You - so that it may increase in strength and power."
Read the following quotes for further understanding on this matter -
"...when we look around, what is one of the chief wants of the time? Is it not faith?" (The Pulpit Commentary)
"...the increase of our faith is what we should earnestly desire, and we should offer up that desire to God in prayer." (Matthew Henry)
"It is faith to believe which we desire and ask for: faith to be perfectly sure. Give us more faith; firmer faith, constant faith, faith that does not ebb and flow: faith that is always there. It is a great thing to ask. There is a thread of the sceptic, even of the infidel, in many a good Christian. There come the agnostic moments into many a saintly life. So we come, we who are professed Christians, to God Almighty, with the prayer made in solemn earnestness: Give us more faith." (Sermon Bible Commentary)
"Faith has quenched the violence of the flames, shut the mouths of lions, and out of weakness it has made us strong. It has overcome more enemies than the whole host of conquerors. Tell me not of the victories of Wellington; mention not the battles of Napoleon; tell me of what faith has done! Oh! If we should erect a monument to the honour of faith, what various names should we carve on the mighty pedestal!" (Biblical Illustrator)
Having read this "word" from the Lord to you today, do you see your great need for "an increase of faith"?
Will you now make this your earnest and continual prayer - "Lord, increase my faith"?
In light of what the opening quote to this Update had to say - "We need a stronger faith to prepare us for the unknown future" - we, at Walking In Truth Ministry, see our great need for an increase of this mighty grace from God. Hence, we, too, are making it our continual prayer at this time - "Lord, increase our faith" - in order to meet the challenges that lie ahead of us and in order to perform our Christian duties as outlined in God's Word.
We are also looking to the Lord to give us "Bible Messages" to bring before you on a weekly basis that will strengthen and build up your faith in these final hours.
I want to thank all of you for your fervent prayers for my health. JESUS has come through mightily and touched me. HALLELUJAH! Thank You, Lord! I am able to do my ministry work (as well as other tasks requiring my right arm and hand - which is just about every thing) with no pain! Praise the Name of JESUS! Our God reigns!
At this time, we come before you and ask you - as we have blessed you every week with our written Bible Messages and podcasts, will you now consider being a blessing to us with your financial gift?
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
If you would like to be a blessing to this ministry or a faithful supporter, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
Or, if you prefer to use Paypal, you can send your financial gift to - [email protected]
You can also send a Money gram - if that means of exchange will work better for you.
We are a nonprofit organization with a tax exemption status.
Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved