“Lord, Increase Our Faith”

Jesus said “temptations” (ESV), “stumbling blocks” (NASB), “offenses” (KJV), or “occasions of stumbling” (ASV) “were certain to come” (Luke 17:1). Sometimes we’re the ones tempted, offended and stumbling. At other times, we’re the ones causing it for others. 

We can’t diminish  DISMESS  the seriousness of this because it’s so common or dismiss it because we can find ourselves so easily either side of it. Rather, “woe to the one through whom it comes! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin” (v. 1,2). Jesus wants us to take our conduct towards others most seriously and soberly. “Pay attention to yourselves” (v. 3), He said.

While being so careful about our own conduct towards others, we must be forgiving of them when they act poorly, or even sinfully, towards us. Yes, “forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (v. 3,4).

Jesus’ first hearers truly understand the real difficulty of having such circumspect conduct and also having such a forgiving and forbearing spirit. So “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (v. 5). 

Realizing our need, we likely need to pray the same thing: Lord, increase our faith. And Lord, keep us from giving offense and help us to forgive.