Faith, Forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God
“The kingdom of God is in your midst.” – Luke 17:21
In Luke 17, Jesus continues His teaching on faith, forgiveness, and the nature of the kingdom of God. He warns of the seriousness of leading others into sin, emphasizing that it would be better to suffer a violent death than to cause another believer to stumble (vv. 1–2). He then commands His disciples to rebuke sin and extend ongoing forgiveness to a repentant brother, reinforcing that even mustard-seed-sized faith is enough to accomplish seemingly impossible acts—such as continual forgiveness (vv. 3–6).
Jesus follows with a parable that corrects any notion that obedience entitles one to a reward (vv. 7–10). Servants obey because it is their duty, not to earn merit, illustrating that service to God is a response to grace, not a means of gaining favor.
The story of the ten lepers (vv. 11–19) reveals the heart of genuine faith, as only one—the Samaritan—returns to give thanks to Jesus. While all ten were physically healed, the Samaritan’s gratitude signifies deeper faith, bringing him into a restored relationship with God.
Finally, Jesus teaches about the kingdom of God (vv. 20–37). To the Pharisees, He explains that the kingdom is not something to be located externally—it is present wherever He is (vv. 20–21). He then turns to His disciples, preparing them for His second coming. He compares it to the days of Noah and Lot, when people were unaware of impending judgment, warning His followers not to become attached to this world. His return will be sudden, unmistakable, and final.
Journal Entry: Living in the Reality of His Kingdom
Lord, Your words in Luke 17 are weighty, yet so freeing. You speak of faith, forgiveness, gratitude, and the nature of Your kingdom—not as a distant reality, but as something present among us, something experienced through abiding in You.
You tell me that even the smallest faith in You can move mountains—or in this case, uproot deep-seated bitterness and make room for forgiveness. I don’t need to manufacture faith, nor do I need to summon up the strength to forgive in my own power. You are my source, my life. It is Your Spirit within me that extends grace, that releases debts, that sees beyond the offense to the work You are doing in another’s heart. How could I withhold what You so freely pour through me?
You also remind me that service to You is not about earning favor—it is simply my life in You. What else would I do but walk in the obedience that Your life produces in me? I do not work to gain something from You. I already have everything in Christ. My life is not my own, and there is rest in that truth.
Then there is the Samaritan—the one out of ten who turned back to thank You. It makes me consider: Do I live in constant gratitude? Do I walk in awareness of what I have received, or do I rush forward, content with blessings but failing to worship the One who gives them? Lord, let my life be one of constant thanksgiving, not out of duty, but because my heart is captivated by You.
And Your kingdom—how often do people search for something external, some sign, some spectacle? Yet, You are here. Your rule is in the hearts of those who are Yours. I do not need to chase after another revelation or another experience. The King abides within me, and I in You.
Your return will be sudden, and many will not be ready. Let me not be entangled with the things of this world. Let my hands remain open, my heart fixed on eternity. The days of Noah and Lot remind me that many were caught unaware, too wrapped up in their daily lives to see judgment coming. But I belong to You, and You have opened my eyes.
Today, I live with my eyes on You. My faith is in You. My forgiveness is from You. My gratitude is for You. My life is Yours.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the faith You have given me, faith that is not about its size but about resting in Your sufficiency. You live in me, and in Your life, I walk in forgiveness, gratitude, and the awareness of Your kingdom’s reality. I do not serve to gain, but because You are my life. Keep my heart fixed on what is eternal. I await Your return, not with fear, but with joyful expectation. Amen.
Image Intent: A sunrise breaking over a vast landscape, symbolizing the arrival of the kingdom and the readiness of a believer waiting for Christ’s return.