Aaron Goetzinger - September 4, 2022
The Lord Produces Total Dependence
The absence of the faith Jesus seeks isn’t always complete and total rejection of God or the Bible or even Jesus. It is possible for someone to have respect for Scripture and Christ, yet ultimately trust in his own goodness when it comes to his relationship with God. It is natural for us to want to believe that our relationship with God revolves around our obedience to his commands. We desperately desire to believe that, if we just apply the right spiritual advice and effort, we can earn God’s approval and eternal inheritance. This, too, is unbelief, just as much as paganism or secularism. This week Jesus uses God’s law for its chief purpose: to expose sin and crush our natural pride. In Christ’s hands God’s law is a powerful tool used to shape in us the faith he seeks—one totally dependent on God to do what only he can do.
Scripture References: Luke 18:18-31
From Series: "Productive Faith"
We sometimes use the word faith very casually. “You got to have faith.” “Keep the faith.” “Make a leap of faith.” As Jesus' journey to Jerusalem nears its conclusion, he begins to talk about faith in ways that are anything but casual. He says profound things about the power of faith: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6). Or “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). In thinking about his second coming, Christ wonders, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Jesus’ words are serious and compelling. They force us to consider what true, saving faith is. They make us ask if we have such faith. But most of all, Jesus’ words move us to run to our God and beg him for more of it. Lord, increase our faith!
