Discipleship, Sin, Forgiveness, Faith, and Duty (Luke 17:1-10)

Luke zeroes in on some more teaching of Jesus for His disciples. Luke likely collected these teachings, but one can imagine them all building on each other:

Jesus: Temptation will come.
But, don’t BE a temptation!
Don’t lead people into sin!

Repeatedly in the New Testament, we see warnings against false teaching. In the millennia since, it is easy to see why. Christianity is always under attack from people claiming to have a “new word” from God. Our foundation is Christ’s teaching alone. That teaching collected and laid out by the apostles inspired by the Holy Spirit is all we need. Don’t chase the dazzle of “new perspectives” or “novel takes” on Scripture. History is full of well-meaning misguided teachers who have started cults. Well, also wolves in sheep’s clothing misleading people for gain.

Jesus: While we are on the topic of sin, Confront sin!
But, be ready to forgive as well.
Repeatedly!

Another trap that Christianity easily falls into, along with all the human-developed religious systems, is to fool ourselves into thinking we are the goodies. How quickly we forget that we are sinners saved by grace. So, yes, do try to live a life pleasing to God. Do help people to recognize and root out sin. However, do not become a pharisee. Do not see a life well lived as a source of pride, and do not develop a hate for those caught in sin.

Disciples: Oh, man. Help us have more trust!
Jesus: A tiny amount of trust, in the right place is more than enough.
With it you can do great things.

All of this is a tough lifestyle. One can imagine the disciples protesting, “How can we do this? Give us more faith!” That is a true realization. The life pleasing to God is not possible in our own strength. We need more than just the grace of salvation. We need the grace of power from God to live as we should. That is faith. That is the trust we have. We depend on Him not our own goodness. And with just a little of that trust, we can do what God desires. We can serve Him and accomplish His plans.

Jesus: But, don’t gloat in doing those things, your duty.

When we do God’s will. When He uses us to do the things we could never do on our own, we should not celebrate ourselves. We are not to be like those annoying NFL defensive players, who, even in a losing effort celebrate every tackle knowing they will make a highlight reel. Do your job and walk away casually. It wasn’t your ability that got the job done. Don’t pump yourself up. That glory isn’t yours to have.