New Years resolution: Increased Faith

Luke 17: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

It amazes me how my oldest two kids feel the need to be recognized for the smallest things. In their eyes, Titanic accomplishments such as putting their dishes in the sink, picking up their dirty clothes or eating the food on their plates deserves reward and praise. I think that we all battle that same issue in our spiritual lives.

Look at the exchange between Jesus and the apostles above. they want Him to increase their faith. Contrary to more contemporary practices Jesus does not whip us a calendared and ordered process to chart a course for so that the apostles hit different levels improving faith by expected dates. Instead Jesus has some pretty stiff words for them, and us all. Jesus asks the question "Will anyone of you that has a servant that is plowing a field or tending sheep that comes in from work tell that servant to kick back and relax and be served by the master?" His answer is no. He says the master will say to that servant prepare food for me, clothe yourself properly, serve me my meal and then you can eat. he then even takes it a step further and applies this to the disciples and us.....So you also when you have done all that you were commanded, say, " we are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty".

Oh how this strikes against our pride, desire to be known and the core of our self will. If we are out plowing sowing seeds of the Gospel for the kingdom, if we are making disciples by tending sheep and we get ready to bump into God in communion, we don't stroll into His presence chest thumping. We are awed by His presence, clothe ourselves with His righteousness, serve Him first through prayer and adoration and then we are able to be rewarded with the freshness of the Spirit. he does not pass out rewards, ribbons or speeches for our actions as they represent our obedience. What He does distribute is a greater faith for all who think it Lovely to promote Christ, serve Christ and praise Christ because you get to, not because you have to. It isn't a job, it is a Joy. Our reward is not man's tip of the hat, it is God's further revealing Himself to us. It is God's desire to pour Himself into those who enjoy pouring themselves out for Him, not seeking reward but only a greater Faith in Him. He is worthy.

So for 2011, my resolution is for a greater faith in Christ. That will come only as I obey Him, serve Him and praise Him for who He is and what He has done, and what he intends to do. It comes as I acknowledge that I am an unworthy servant made worthy only through Christ.

Will you join me?