Lesson 55L Sin and Faith Luke 17:1- 6

You Must Forgive- The Habit of Forgiveness 17:1- 4

English Standard Version Chapter 17

17

It is interesting to think that a thing or concept like forgiveness should be a regular habit. And yet, a believer can struggle with forgiveness their entire life. We must remember that forgiveness is a two way street: forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. Too many times we “have had enough” to forgive someone for their offense. After all, “I’ve got my rights? Yes?” Probably no. Chapter 17 of Luke is still embroiled in an audience of rich religious folk, disciples, and whoever could get close. As our current culture would have it said, the money flowed here, but because of the topics, the spigot was closed to the message of ministry of others. Attitudes of the listener did not shape what the Savior was saying because he was not at a fundraising event. Remember, most events, secular and some spiritual are fundraising oriented.

The listeners were using their funds inappropriately. Temptations to sin are inevitable, just don’t be one of those temptations yourself. In other words, don’t be the one, or the channel through which the evil one uses you or your money to lead others to sin. Yes, the disciples in attendance were being preached to, just as hard as the pharisees. The Christian servant always wants to be a vessel of honor, so before we invest in a public event, it helps to count the cost. For instance, how many times have believers been a mouthpiece for for a work that had division of the believers in mind but looked nice on the surface. Once we find we have been had, we have to retreat on what has been applauded, confess and maybe forgive, and even repay. Leading someone into temptation does not need to have the devil’s horns in plain sight for us to be hoodwinked. And yes, we could spend some time studying in the Lord’s prayer right now, but let’s save that for another day.

As the rich leaders would say in the background to the story, we must do the math if we are going to get rid of this guy. Hence, they have fallen to temptation. Their culpability in these crimes of plotting the Savior’s death are heavy enough to send a 250 pound old man to a watery grave- that would be the millstone of verse two. The Greek word “skandalon” from where we get “Temptations” here (“stumbling” in the Lexham English Bible, and “offenses” in the King James) means that it is truly a “scandal.” Someone could die from what you are doing or someone may wish they had died because of what they had done. The plotting to get rid of the leader and scatter the followers would someday lay extremely heavy on the shoulders of these men, and maybe even women who were listening.

The temptations

are easily available to those who are waiting for them to come. It is like bait on a stick, or a string, or on a hook that triggers the individual to bite. Drowning in your own sin would be the effect of verse 2 of taking the evil ones bait that brings down the young believer or even anyone who considers himself a “child of God.” I think sometimes we limit this passage to the cruel and terrible things that are done to children. We have that freedom to make that application because of the horrible industry of the human trafficking of children or the countless numbers of the little ones who are terribly abused as only a scandal or trauma could imagine. I also think that the abortion industry can be put in this sentence of causing little ones to sin. That is the same word at the end of verse two as it is in verse one. It is a scandal. It is a human tragedy, but if you as a child of God are led astray, it is no less a scandal.

The admonition

to the hearers is this: “all of you, pay attention to yourselves!” “If your brother sins, rebuke him and if he repents, forgive.” Then it says if he does it 7 times a day, repeat the operation. The three-fold procedure is “Rebuke, repent, and forgive.” If there is rebuke and repentance, there must be forgiveness without any limit. Sometimes, due to the nature of the offense, there must be future boundaries to protect victims and to keep the sinner from further temptation. the idea is, we have to learn to forgive as a habit. It is not reserved for special occasions. As it was mentioned earlier, forgive yourself if needed.

Seven is the Biblical perfect number. I think if more than that is needed, God needs to intervene in that persons life. The same holds true for the person who uses up his 7 times a day on a regular basis The forgiveness needs to be habitual, the need to rebuke should have a “half-life.”For instance, if you forgive someone 7 times in a day, then the next day you would think they would only need it 3.5 times and so on. There is a learning curve to godliness and the spirit filled life. And at the same time, the learning curve of forgiveness must bend also. The more you exercise forgiveness, the better you are at it. I believe you will be less inclined to demand your rights. A believer that demands his rights does not realize that he does not have any. He is a servant of the most High God and he has surrendered his rights. The child of God will eventually see that many times he has to take the loss and realize that you will never be a debtor to something you gave up in Jesus name.

Increased Faith Luke 17:5, 6.

English Standard Version Chapter 17

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “

The operative word for understanding the hard to imagine is: potential!

The question was simple or rather the request was simple on the surface. How do you teach people to command trees to plant themselves in the ocean??? Does it just take a little “itty” bit of faith to do this or what is the equivalent to planting a tree in the ocean? The point is that this endeavor is useless to the kingdom. Perhaps their minds were directed in the arena of making a show of force or ability to convince the Pharisees, but this is not needed. God’s work is not for fancy showboats or venues. faith is in the realm of that which is unseen. Just as Jesus had earlier remarked in chapter 16, even if someone would raise from the dead, they would not believe. Do you think that planting a tree in the ocean would do anything for your faith? No. Probably not.

The New Testament definitions of faith are yet to be taught because the Bible has not been completed at this point. These men will come into a deeper understanding of what Jesus is saying as He draws closer to His cross of Calvary. If they are going to use their faith, the only way they can grow into faith is through the Words of Jesus. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17. If their faith is to grow, they need more of Jesus teaching, not practicing commanding inanimate objects to disappear and be placed in the ocean.

Their faith will serve greater purposes. They must listen first of all to the Master and His preaching to them (How shall they hear without a preacher?) They are going to hear a “Rhema” an all important word from the preacher himself. As these disciples listen, soon after Jesus dies their words will go out to the whole world. That which is coming is far greater than a show of strength or a power team demonstration. Their power will be spiritual. Just as the power to forgive 7 times a day is unheard of or deemed necessary. The fact is: you can do it, but do what is necessary. Get your personal relationships down pat and soon you will see the “Rhema” be performed right in front of you. God’s Word can and will have His day in your life. Sound hard or impossible? Think again because the best is yet to come.