Last Week's Applications

After the disciples were told to forgive any offender who asks forgiveness even up to seven times a day, they respond to Jesus with "Increase our faith!" Jesus, on the other hand, tells them that they have all the faith they ever needed to do the impossible, which is live in a life of forgiveness. He discourages them from using faith as a measuring stick for accomplishments or to gain the favor of God. Similarly, don't let our accomplishments be a time of showiness or try to impress others and much less try to impress God. Only God deserves our praise.

Likewise it is not the quantity of faith but the quality of faith that matters. So often in Scripture, the Kingdom of God prioritizes the poor and the marginalized. If our lives don't show that kind of priority then we do not have the correct quality of faith.

Jesus emphasized that the only thing we are to do is what we are expected to do...and when it comes to salvation, the only thing we can do is die to ourselves and let His resurrection life work through us. Our faith does not save us, nor does any action we take. Rather, Jesus is the ONLY Savior and He bids us to die to enjoy new life in Him.