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 What does faith have to do with it? |
maqqebet |
Cast in the context of the need to forgive others, Jesus shares a parable referred to by some as “The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.” A closer examination of the passage, however, reveals a different story altogether.
Forgiveness is an essential core value all believers must embrace because without forgiveness God fails to forgive us and our prayers are hindered. Twice in the context of prayer Jesus’ message is forgive, once in Matthew 6:14-15, and in Mark 11:15 we read, "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.”
In Luke 17 [see passage below] Jesus taught His disciples that it would be impossible to avoid others placing “stumbling blocks,” or offenses, in our paths. Jesus said if the offending brother comes to you asking for forgiveness, forgive him, even if he repeats the offense seven times and seven times he asks for forgiveness. Seven Times!
The Apostles indicated what Jesus required was difficult, so difficult they appealed to Him, “Increase our faith!”
I can remember the first time I read this incident I wasn’t so dumbfounded with Jesus’ expectation that we forgive but with the Apostles suggesting they couldn’t accept what Jesus required unless there as an increase in faith. And I asked myself then, without reading the rest of the story, “What’s faith got to do with it?”
Jesus dispelled that notion by asserting faith, indeed, had nothing to do with it. In fact, He 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.” In other words, faith isn’t required to forgive others, even offended seven times in a day and seven times the offender asks forgiveness.
Jesus then told this parable:
| Quote: | | “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ” |
The story seems self-explanatory. A master who works his slaves doesn’t at the end of the work day invite the slave to sit down and eat with him. Instead, the slave changes clothes, cooks a meal, and sets it on the table for his master to eat. And, the master doesn’t say to the slave, “Thanks for being obedient today.”
Jesus concludes, “So you – the Apostles, when you do all the things commanded you,” that is forgive others, even up to seven times each day, should say, “We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.” The King James reads, “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
The word “unworthy” here means “useless,” “good for nothing,” and therefore “unprofitable” and “unworthy.” Hardly a compliment.
In case you missed the message, Jesus said faith isn’t required to do what He expects you to do. In this case, the Apostles didn’t need more faith to obey His commandment to forgive others, even seven times. Just forgive.
Yet, the message doesn’t stop there. If we simply do what we are told to do, there is no profit in just meeting the minimum. A profitable servant is one who goes beyond what is expected. When we go beyond what the letter requires, go beyond the minimum requirements, and go the extra mile, then we become profitable.
We don’t need more faith, nor do we need a sign from heaven to obey Jesus. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15).
So, obedience isn’t about faith or moving mountains or plucking up trees. Obedience is all about love.
Luke 17:1-10 (NASB95)
1 He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 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. 7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 “But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”
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The Hammer
Mi kamocah ba'elim Adonai
"Who is like you, Adonai, among the mighty?" (Exodus 15:11, CJB) |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1771
7/20/16 7:58 am
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diakoneo |
Good stuff!
Thanks for posting!! |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3382
7/20/16 9:18 am
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Change Agent |
| Enjoyed the Scriptures and comment. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1449
7/20/16 12:07 pm
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bradfreeman |
When interpreting scripture, context is vital. There are parables about slaves and parables about sons. We are no longer slaves, but sons (Gal. 4:7). Faith IS our new covenant obedience, hearing with faith is how we receive the Spirit (Gal. 3:2). The Spirit produces in us the fruit of selfless love.
Old covenant (slave) obedience had nothing to do with faith (Gal. 3:12). Even after doing "all the things which are commanded", you remain "unworthy slaves". Before the cross, forgiveness was demanded of those who hadn't been forgiven. After the cross, grace supplies forgiveness for us to share.
Christ forgave. His forgiveness/obedience is set to our account and we are now freely forgiven. Jesus showed us the Father by NEVER requiring anyone he forgave to ask/repent/apologize/forgive or do anything more than believe (See Mark 2:5; Luke 7:48-50; Luke 23:34; John 8:11). Now we forgive as Jesus forgave, not to get forgiveness, but because we have already been forgiven.
Eph. 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
God isn't selling or trading forgiveness under the new covenant. It's free. He isn't doling it out one apology at a time or one day at a time - that was how the old covenant priests dealt with sin.
Heb. 10:10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Forgiveness has already been accomplished when the sin of the world was put away at the cross. All we do to receive it is believe it.
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/ |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 9027
7/20/16 12:36 pm
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Ventureforth |
| bradfreeman wrote: | | When interpreting scripture, context is vital. There are parables about slaves and parables about sons. We are no longer slaves, but sons (Gal. 4:7). Faith IS our new covenant obedience, hearing with faith is how we receive the Spirit (Gal. 3:2). The Spirit produces in us the fruit of selfless love. |
I agree with Brad on the above. I would add that there are times when we aren't motivated as much by the Spirit as others (unfortunately). So at those times we do need to "just do it." But if we keep relying on that, we are destined to fail in the long run. And those times are not God's best for us. We do very well in practicing a Spirit led life. But for many, that requires too much surrendering. |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 651
7/20/16 3:30 pm
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| Well, just what I expected... |
maqqebet |
Read the letter and miss the spirit...
If we love Jesus, obeying Him is not issue...
That's all I'm going to respond because I won't take the bait and get drawn into a discussion having nothing to do with the message.
Somehow some folk just can't help themselves.
And one more point. Parables are not about type but about analogy. Some folk need to learn the difference.
_________________
The Hammer
Mi kamocah ba'elim Adonai
"Who is like you, Adonai, among the mighty?" (Exodus 15:11, CJB) |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1771
7/20/16 5:34 pm
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Ventureforth |
| Ventureforth wrote: | | bradfreeman wrote: | | When interpreting scripture, context is vital. There are parables about slaves and parables about sons. We are no longer slaves, but sons (Gal. 4:7). Faith IS our new covenant obedience, hearing with faith is how we receive the Spirit (Gal. 3:2). The Spirit produces in us the fruit of selfless love. |
I agree with Brad on the above. I would add that there are times when we aren't motivated as much by the Spirit as others (unfortunately). So at those times we do need to "just do it." But if we keep relying on that, we are destined to fail in the long run. And those times are not God's best for us. We do very well in practicing a Spirit led life. But for many, that requires too much surrendering. |
I do take one thing back. The "slaves"at the last of the Luke passage is in reference to the disciples which I think is relatable to us.
| Quote: | In case you missed the message, Jesus said faith isn’t required to do what He expects you to do.
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However, I would think Jesus is not saying we don't need any faith but that we only need mustard seed faith. And if we have that amount of faith we can command a mulberry tree to be uprooted. So we ought to be able to do over and above only what is commanded, especially since we are empowered by the Spirit to do so. |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 651
7/20/16 9:03 pm
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