Luke chapter 17 verses 3-5 (NIV)
So watch yourselves.“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke Christmas challenge day 17. It’s interesting that Jesus cautions the disciples to watch themselves. He taught that there are times when it is right for us to turn the other cheek, but here also that it is appropriate at the right time to issue a rebuke. It seems to me that the right time is when there is a chance for the one rebuke to repent, and that being so we have a duty to forgive. I think the disciples acknowledged that this would be difficult for them, for their response was to ask Jesus to increase their faith. That is surely a healthy response, and something that we too should pray when we find ourselves in a situation in which we may find it difficult to do the right thing.
Dear Lord,
Increase my faith too so that I might do the right thing. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.