What does "increase our faith" mean in the context of Luke 17:5? Setting the Moment • Luke 17:1-4 records Jesus warning about stumbling blocks and commanding repeated forgiveness: “If your brother sins against you seven times in a day and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (v. 4). • Feeling the weight of such radical obedience, “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (v. 5). Why the Apostles Asked • They sensed that forgiving endlessly and avoiding offense required supernatural enablement. • Their request shows humility—acknowledging that genuine, God-pleasing obedience flows from God-given faith (cf. John 15:5). Jesus’ Response: Faith Like a Mustard Seed • “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). • The point: authentic faith, even when seemingly small, is powerful because its object is Almighty God, not human effort. What “Increase Our Faith” Means • A plea for deeper reliance on God that produces obedience impossible in human strength. • A recognition that faith is dynamic—capable of growth (2 Thessalonians 1:3). • A desire for steadfast confidence in God’s character, promises, and power so forgiveness and holiness become natural outflows (Galatians 5:6). How God Grows Faith Today • Hearing and absorbing Scripture—“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). • Prayerful dependence—like the father who cried, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). • Obedient action—faith is strengthened when exercised (James 2:22). • Fellowship with mature believers who model trust in God (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Remembering God’s past faithfulness (Psalm 77:11-12). Living It Out Daily • Choose immediate obedience to hard commands—especially forgiving quickly. • Replace self-reliance with God-reliance: confess inability, ask for Spirit-empowered faith, then act. • Celebrate small victories; mustard-seed moments today prepare for bigger steps tomorrow. • Keep eyes on Christ, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). |
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