“SHALL HE FIND THE FAITH IN THE EARTH?” Luke 18:8
Jesus coming appears to be at a time of very small faith, in that Jesus Christ makes it a question of whether he shall find “the faith” upon the earth. We know there will be an elect people in the earth at his coming. They will be people represented by those whose prayers plead for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. We will find ourselves begging the Father to release him from His side. There will be a poor, afflicted remnant, who like Lot and Noah, shall plead for their own lives and the destruction of apostate religions (Names and blasphemy - Rev 17:3) which fills the whole world.
The ministry of Jesus Christ spoke to these latter day times. His recognition of a small faith, for us, is grim, and encourages us to “increase” our trumpeting to “Hold Fast” and to “Pray without ceasing” as we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25).
Here in Luke 18:8 the Master is teaching us about a “particular” faith which “may” be absent in the world at his coming; at the very least diminishing from his sight.
We see the individual’s faith “must” be persistent, as that of the widow (Luke 18:42) and those believers also spoken of in Revelation 13:10, which shows the patience and the faith of the saints during a time of great affliction. Of course these believers were persecuted by those who themselves thought righteous.
The record clearly presents a people who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others, even the Master himself. This should alarm us of a trap easily ensnared; for who among us thinks they are right? And therefore righteous?
We understand this ill spirit should not be spoken among the true brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, nor was it so in the parable that follows (Luke 18:10-14).
Who do we relate to in this parable (Luke 18:10-14)? Well, the publican, of course. But is this us in these last days?
Prov 30:12
Isa 65:2-5
A prideful approach to our preaching and teaching is likened to the Pharisee who was self-centered and conceited. His morality was based on negatives. His worship was based on externals.
He valued his religious systems (Church) above the divine truth and all its moral virtues.
My friends, pride is subtle, that if we are not careful we'll be proud of our humility. When this takes place all our goodness becomes deceit and hypocrisy. Our virtues become vices and we take to ourselves slippery paths, which will lead to utter destruction.
By contrast the Word working upon the “inner man” can create in us a contrite and broken spirit, which at times will cause us to “beat our chest”, not out of show, but the pressing need for forgiveness and redemption.
Jesus Christ is the man of sorrows (Isa 53:3) and we follow in like manner, beating our breasts in humility. We are like lepers looking towards him from a distance (Luke 17:12) and not able to look up because we know the Lord is near to those with a crushed spirit (Psalm 34:18).
It is only then we shall be ready to receive the Kingdom like little children.
God Bless you all
Alethos
Jesus coming appears to be at a time of very small faith, in that Jesus Christ makes it a question of whether he shall find “the faith” upon the earth. We know there will be an elect people in the earth at his coming. They will be people represented by those whose prayers plead for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. We will find ourselves begging the Father to release him from His side. There will be a poor, afflicted remnant, who like Lot and Noah, shall plead for their own lives and the destruction of apostate religions (Names and blasphemy - Rev 17:3) which fills the whole world.
The ministry of Jesus Christ spoke to these latter day times. His recognition of a small faith, for us, is grim, and encourages us to “increase” our trumpeting to “Hold Fast” and to “Pray without ceasing” as we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25).
Here in Luke 18:8 the Master is teaching us about a “particular” faith which “may” be absent in the world at his coming; at the very least diminishing from his sight.
We see the individual’s faith “must” be persistent, as that of the widow (Luke 18:42) and those believers also spoken of in Revelation 13:10, which shows the patience and the faith of the saints during a time of great affliction. Of course these believers were persecuted by those who themselves thought righteous.
The record clearly presents a people who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others, even the Master himself. This should alarm us of a trap easily ensnared; for who among us thinks they are right? And therefore righteous?
We understand this ill spirit should not be spoken among the true brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, nor was it so in the parable that follows (Luke 18:10-14).
Who do we relate to in this parable (Luke 18:10-14)? Well, the publican, of course. But is this us in these last days?
Prov 30:12
Isa 65:2-5
A prideful approach to our preaching and teaching is likened to the Pharisee who was self-centered and conceited. His morality was based on negatives. His worship was based on externals.
He valued his religious systems (Church) above the divine truth and all its moral virtues.
My friends, pride is subtle, that if we are not careful we'll be proud of our humility. When this takes place all our goodness becomes deceit and hypocrisy. Our virtues become vices and we take to ourselves slippery paths, which will lead to utter destruction.
By contrast the Word working upon the “inner man” can create in us a contrite and broken spirit, which at times will cause us to “beat our chest”, not out of show, but the pressing need for forgiveness and redemption.
Jesus Christ is the man of sorrows (Isa 53:3) and we follow in like manner, beating our breasts in humility. We are like lepers looking towards him from a distance (Luke 17:12) and not able to look up because we know the Lord is near to those with a crushed spirit (Psalm 34:18).
It is only then we shall be ready to receive the Kingdom like little children.
God Bless you all
Alethos