Increased Faith Part 2

Take heed to yourselves (not everyone else and those offensive things they have done to you) for if you HAVE faith as a mustard seed (you understand that forgiveness of offense is the will of God in Christ Jesus and are willing to BEGIN the process to be found in forgiveness), the offense harbored in your soul must obey you and be as far as the east is from the west to you. You will be free from it! Hallelujah! Understand this: the devil will try to bring you back there (to unforgiveness from offense) by reminding you of it. If we will fight the good fight of faith in this matter, we will be free! Remember this! It is our souls that are being saved. It's a process of standing on what we know of Him and His ways and pressing toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus unto maturity (completion)!

Now we need to talk about increased faith. Jesus told the disciples that they did not need increased faith to forgive offense. In my opinion, He told them to exercise what they had already come to understand from being around Him. Jesus had been forgiving offense from the masses and priestly class since His ministry began. We notice that He said that He could call legions of angels to destroy if He desired, but, He came to help. Even His stern rebuke to the pharisees and scribes went without judgement. I think He expected the disciples to learn from that and we should recognize His forebearance toward us as we fall short of His grace. It stops us from judging others when they offend, and that is victory in Christ Jesus!

Yet Jesus does give specific instruction to the disciples request for increased faith. Clearly there were attitudes and motivations within their souls that He knew of but the disciples were unaware of (remember Peter's fall at the crucifixion). Jesus knew all these things and said, "and which of you having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say, 'PREPARE something for my supper, and GIRD YOURSELF and SERVE me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink". (Luke 17: verse 7-8)

In my opinion, Jesus is teaching His disciples that they will receive INCREASED FAITH in the process of preparing (studying), girding themselves (ordering their conduct aright) and serving (going where He desires them to go). Just as the wet is in the water, INCREASED FAITH comes as we press toward the mark for the life He desires and has ordained for us! Notice He says He will not increase their faith at the front end, but with and in the process He directs!

REMEMBER! Faith, fundamentally is revelation in the knowledge of Jesus and the Father (who are One). The Godhead sharing with us the fullness of who They are. Do you think They will share the blessing of that understanding with those who are cold or lukewarm toward them?