路 加 福 音 Luke

More Loves, More Faith, But How?

We not only expect to see more loves, faith and caring from others, but also hope to have more loves and faith for others. We pray and ask for more loves and more faith just as those early disciples. And we think loves and faith are something independent we can own. But the truth described by our Lord Jesus Christ from above two paragraphs are revealing the easy way and the only way to reach that state of more loves and more faith.

NIV bible about Luke 7:47: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little”. Do you have ever wandered why our Lord said in this strange logic? Every time when I read this verse, I always wander why our Lord did not say “Her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has loved little is forgiven little.” That is so logic, right? You loved more you are forgiven more, you loved less you are forgiven less. Though that is true but that is not our Lord said, and heavenly logics are always different from human logics. What really our Lord is saying is: She LOVED (Lord) much, so she was forgiven much, but he was forgiven little so he LOVES (others) little. Did you notice the difference? Love Lord is the root cause to fix “Loves little”. Love Lord more will result in more sinless life, consequently, result in more loves for others and God. Love is an internal state which can only love out through the True Love (that is God himself) beloved by you. Now we know how to love more： through loving Lord more.

Next let us see how to increase faith.

When disciples asked for more faith, Lord Jesus first pointed out that none of us have any real faith. As you can see, the dynamic energy of faith with a size of a mustard seed is much greater than the inertia energy needed to root out a tree and throw it into the ocean. Then, strangely, Lord did not tell them how to increase faith, but tell them a parable which shows us the real way to increase faith.

Step one, (Luke 17:7) Taking care external assignments(the fields): we need to take care of the “sheep and land” Lord assigned to us. Carrying out our duty is the first step to have faith. What is our sheep and land? Our wives, husbands, kids and families are our first group of assignments, without caring our families how can we care His church? 2^nd group of assignments is our fellowship and church duty, we all, more or less, have the duty to nurture, care and encourage brothers and sisters around us. 3^rd group of assignments is your social and working environment; both people and works are God’s assignment to you at this right time.

Step two (Luke 17:8) Waiting on Lord in “home”: For unbelievers, it will completely make nonsense about this step. Serving externally is hard enough, now how can I yet to serve internally once get “home”? Is it the time to get rest/fun/entertainment? But the heavenly way is exactly the opposite in paradox, serving the Lord inside home (internally) is exactly our source of joy, strength and faith to serve externally? Serving externally is the overflow from internal waiting on our Lord. And this is the only way to enhance our state of faith, because our Lord is the ultimate source of faith and love. Without Him, not possible to have faith.

Step three (Luke 17:10) humble yourself to selfless(worthless servant): Now comes to the most challenging, yet most rewarding phase of faith. The true faith has no self, the self has been merged with the source of faith. God’s work can only flow through our humble hearts in front of Him, those hearts as Lord’s vessel will surely witness His glory, holiness and beauty. Is that all faith is about? Oh, how blessed is the heart who know self worthless in front of Lord. And our Lord is waiting and our Lord is searching to fill that heart right now.

May Lord guide us to experience more faith and more love.