Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:1-10

Dear brother and sisters in Christ,

It’s not uncommon for things to be left undone because we lack the motivation to do it. Sometimes dishes don’t get washed, toys don’t get put away, the lawn doesn’t get mowed because we lack the motivation or energy to do it. In those moments, we all recognize the physical and mental strain that we must overcome in order to complete the task at hand. This is why we often say, “I wish I had more motivation to get it done.”

Similarly, with faith, God has given us many things that we’re supposed to do. Be a good person, forgive others, share your faith, witness through your actions, and so on. As Christians, we realize at times that we lack the “motivation” or rather faith necessary to do what God has asked of us. Or the circumstances and situations we find ourselves in demand a greater faith to overcome them.

This week, I think we all can relate to the apostles as they listen to Jesus’ teaching. As Jesus tells them, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times, saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him,” Luke 17:3-4. Living a Christian life is difficult work. Calling out others sins in a loving and caring way, and also being willing to forgive them is definitely not easy. Realizing the scope of what Jesus has said, the disciples’ response shouldn’t surprise us. “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5. It’s both our plea for help with such a difficult task and an admittance that we’re not strong enough on our own. 

Increase our faith, God. Indeed, we’re not up to the task you have asked of us. We often fail or refuse to listen to you because it’s hard for us, or we just don’t want to. We often pay more attention to the mistakes of others than to our own. Just as Jesus says, "Temptations to sin are sure to come..." Luke 17:1. Daily, we’re tempted to fall away from you and daily we sin against you. Even when I do what you ask of me, I do it for my own glory and not for yours. Forgive me, Lord for all the times I haven’t lived as you have commanded or desired!

Yet, for all that the Lord has asked of us, he shows us the way in which we can carry it out. The motivation of the Christian life doesn’t come from within us. Rather, it always flows from Christ! Seven times, we forgive because God has forgiven us a million times! We’re called to love one another because God has loved us to the point of sending Jesus to die on the cross in our place. We serve one another because Christ has tied the towel around his waist and served us first. There can be no doubt that God grants us more faith, but he does this by simply pointing us to and showing us all that HE has done for us in Christ! Thus, when we have done all this, we’re to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty,” Luke 17:10. Praise be to God who has served us in Jesus Christ and his death for us that we may now serve one another with forgiveness and love!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!