Forgive Others

3 If another believer (friend, brothers, fellow Christian) sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times (many times) a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord (Jesus, Master), “Show us how to increase our faith.” 6 The Lord (Jesus, Master) answered, “If you had faith even as small (tiny) as a mustard seed, you could say to this (large) mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!” Luke 17:3-6 (NLT).

Do you love people?  Do you forgive others freely who repeatedly hurt you? Do you serve people faithfully? In Luke 17, Jesus challenged His apostles (also called disciples) to forgive and love others freely and repeatedly. Jesus’ apostles came to Him and asked Jesus to give them more or increasing faith to forgive others as if it takes great faith to do these deeds. The apostles' requests were honest because they wanted the necessary and essential faith for such love, forgiveness and service. But Jesus told the apostles they do not need more faith because the amount of faith is not as important as its genuineness.

Faith is a total and complete dependence on God and a humble readiness to obey His will. Even more, our faith must only be in our all-powerful and all-wise God and according to His Holy Bible (see also John 15:7; 1 John 5:14). God has unlimited power and strength, and everyone who trust in Him will see His mighty muscle. Jesus said to the apostles that if they had just a small seed of faith in our all-powerful God, they could say to a large tree, “Go jump in the lake,” and the tree would obey their words of faith. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in our almighty God will move large trees, tall mountains and any circumstance! Genuine faith in God brings major results that will uproot and destroy any hurdle.  As Jesus told His apostles, we do not need more faith because a tiny or small seed of faith in our God is enough. Even more, Jesus knew the apostles’ faith would increase as they walked in trusting obedience to God to love, forgive and serve others.