Introduction

At the tail end of a personal crisis several years ago, I gave the matter a serious and very thorough investigation in the scriptures. As a result, the way I thought about faith began to change; my understanding of the scriptures increased especially in matters of insight into the deeper things. Very shortly after I completed the study, the Lord led me into a remarkable series of discoveries about the end times, affirming to me that I had learned something of significance about the keys to developing a hearing ear. I wouldn't presume to suggest that I have all the answers on this broad topic of faith, but I think you'll agree that what I've learned has given me insight into the deeper truths, and that the keys are valuable indeed that afford access into the buried treasure chest of God's secret riches.

As a foundation on which to begin this study, let me state the obvious: Faith is a fundamental reality in our lives. It's the crux of our relationship with God and his son Jesus Christ.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. {6} For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  Galatians 5:5-6

Today, there's a great deal of focus upon bearing visible fruit in our lives, but let's put this in proper perspective. The purpose of fruit is for the Lord's enjoyment and purposes, not for our selfish personal satisfaction. The "look at me - I'm bearing fruit - I feel so good" attitude is immature and perverted. The Lord has called us into his harvest field as workers. This is the work that is truly our joy and means of fulfillment.
 

Are You Trustworthy?

Figures of Speech

John 10:6 reads:

Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6

Let's get technical for a moment. Language is a tool for communication whereby we use words to represent thoughts. The words themselves are symbols which have an intellectual and an emotional content. A figure of speech is a non-literal communication, used to express more efficiently and accurately what would be less appropriately stated in a literal manner.

We use figures of speech regularly without even being aware of them. If I held up a photograph and said, "this is my mother," would you wonder how that funny piece of paper brought me into this world? Probably not. You'd recognize that when I said, "this is my mother," I meant that it represents my mother. You would think I was really strange if I held up the photo and said "this paper bears a photographic image of my mother." When I said "this is my mother," I used a metaphor, a figure in which the word "is" is used when the word "represents" is literally accurate. "This is my mother" really meant "this represents my mother." In a metaphor, the meaning of the word "is," is changed. Instead of meaning "is," it is made to mean, "represents." Whenever we see the word "is" in a sentence, it shows the one as literally being the other. A metaphor is employed only when one is really not the other, but rather is like it in some way. The use of a metaphor or any other figure of speech is thus governed by strict rules of language.

We use figures of speech to more effectively communicate our thoughts, but submit that none of us is really very good at it compared with the way God communicates in his word. God uses figures of speech in the Holy Scriptures with precision and specific intent. You could say that God invented man and he also invented language. Do you think he doesn't understand how to use figures of speech? I say to you that he does, and that when they're used in the Bible, we must understand their usage if we are ever going to understand God's intended message.

Dr. E. W. Bullinger, a widely recognized authority on the subject of figures of speech explains them well. From page 15 of his book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, I quote: "Whenever and wherever it is possible, the words of scripture are to be understood literally, but when a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, or to known fact, or revealed truth; or seems to be at variance with the general teaching of the scriptures, then we may reasonably expect that some  figure is employed. And as it is employed only to call our attention to some specially designed emphasis, we are at once bound to diligently examine the figure for the purpose of discovering and learning the truth that is thus emphasized."

Before a figure of speech can be recognized, we must first be knowledgeable about the plain and literal usage of words and phrases. For this reason, we will be considering first the literal and then the figurative usage. Our observation of the distinction between literal and figurative usage of language in the Bible is essential to our accurate understanding of the truths taught. As a place to start, I'd like to offer the following as one definition of faith: Faith is an attitude of trust in response to truth. Relative to a specific promise of God, faith is a response of trust to that promise.

Please note that there are two distinct facets of faith, each of which is essential for there to be faith. The promise is God's responsibility. This can be called faith's object, and is that in which trust may be placed. Our responsibility is then to respond to that promise with trust. On one hand, we have his promise. On the other hand, we have our response of trust to that promise. These are the two "ingredients" or components of faith.

From another perspective, the promise of God can be said to set a condition or criterion, based upon which our response of trust might meet that condition.

Faith has been said by many to be like taking a step without knowing the security of that step. This is also called blind faith. But, I believe that faith is rather like seeing the Lord's promise, not like seeing nothing at all. We may take a step while not seeing the substantial and concrete evidence of the thing promised, but we must see the promise of the thing upon which our next step will fall. True faith is not blind, but sees clearly. It's a response focused upon truth. We can't believe what we can't focus upon. In reality, there seems to be no such thing as vague or non-specific faith.

The word "believe" involves the same reality as the word faith. Faith is the noun, believe is the verb. To believe is to have faith. How often have we heard the questions: "Do you believe?" and, "Do you have faith, brother?" Of course, everyone that can think believes something! The question really should be, "What do you believe?" It's the "what," the object of faith, that we often miss and must find if we want to understand when we read about faith in the Bible. Can any occurrence of the subject of faith in the Bible where both components required for faith are not apparent be other than a figurative usage? I say, no. This is the premise upon which we may now proceed.
 
 
Let's look at some examples where faith is set forth in a literal manner, straightforward and easy to understand.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

Consider Romans 10:9, which reads:

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Similarly, Matthew 9:28 is plain and literally stated.

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes , Lord," they replied.

Another example of a plain literal usage of "faith" is found in Acts 27:23-25.

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me {24} and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' {25} So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

When we consider those words, "faith in God," we have to consider that there is now a figure employed. What is it about God that is to be believed here. That he exists? Let's be specific. Truth is "context sensitive," so, let's look at the context of this phrase. Do you see that "faith in God" is here equated with faith that it would happen just as the angel had told him? The specific meaning of the phrase "faith in God" is found by searching the context to find the associated object of faith. We didn't have to look very far in this example.

Whenever someone is named instead of simply naming the attribute in which we may have faith that relates to that person, the figure called "metonymy" is being used. According to Bullinger, "Metonymy is a figure by which one name or noun is used instead of another, to which it stands in a certain relation." In verse 25, God is named in the phrase; "faith in God." The actual thing to be believed stands in a certain relation to the thing named. The thing to be believed was a specific message from God.

We will find this kind of figure in very wide usage in regards to the subject of faith.  Let's go to another example to further illustrate this figure.

We find the phrase "believed in him" in John 4:39.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me everything I ever did.'

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.

We may note that, in using the figure, God has brought our attention focally on the subject, his son Jesus Christ! By means of the employment of figures of speech, God directs our attention to where he wants it. A figure of speech is like a pointing hand inserted into the text, directing our focus and perspective.

Is Faith a Power?

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Learning to recognize this essential requirement is a significant key to resolving this "faith" issue in our lives. Some Christians teach a brand of health-and-wealth "faith theology" that goes something like this: You must focus your mind on whatever you want to happen and God will make it happen. This is perhaps closer to the truth, but, it still looks like the same lie dressed up in "Christian" garb. Most who teach on this subject suggest that faith is itself a powerful force, but is that really what the Bible teaches? That's what we need to know. Almost all Christians believe that "more faith" is the key to a more powerful life. But what is "more faith"? Is this really a valid biblical concept? This may shock you, but Jesus taught that we do not need more faith! In fact, I would assert that it's an impossibility to have more faith in a literal sense. Here is the alternative to such an interpretation: Regarding any particular truth, some specific object of faith, we either have faith or we don't. Period. Bear with me and hear me out, if you would.

Let's take a look at another example of metonymy. Here, we find a statement that appears to set forth faith as a power.

Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'   Luke 17:19

This is the figure of metonymy in that "faith" is is named instead of the appropriate phrase, "the power of God." Remember, in the figure metonymy, the noun named always stands by a certain relation to the one not named. The relationship between faith and the power of God gives a clue as to why this figure is employed. To put "faith" when "the power of God" is meant is to put the response which meets the necessary condition in the natural realm for the active agent, which may then accomplish in the spiritual realm. The power of God is the active agent in bringing the miracle to pass, but faith is named, which is a response to a promise of God that meets the condition.

For the leper to have had faith and been healed, he must have been presented with a promise of God related to his healing. In that record, the promise is implied in Jesus' command to the leper.

When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests. " And as they went, they were cleansed.   Luke 17:14

From another perspective, Jesus' command set a condition for their cleansing. The condition could be stated thusly: If you go show yourselves to the priests, you will be cleansed. They believed that it would be as he promised and met the condition by obeying the command.

By employment of this figure, God brings our attention to bear upon the leper's response, rather than upon his power. Do you see it? This is the reason for the "pointing hand," for using the figure of Metonymy. This figure that superficially appears to attribute the effects of the power of God to "faith" occurs numerous times in Scripture. Resulting from an ignorance and  misunderstanding of Metonymy, many people have assumed that faith is itself a power. This power is then somehow controlled or directed by our wills. But is this view of faith valid? Let's continue.

I'd like to document the fallacy of that kind of faith theology. People just don't bring to pass miracles by their intensity of desire or mental tenacity. Are you familiar with the contest between God's prophet Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal, a false god?  records:

Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. {22} Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. {23} Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. {24} Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." {25} Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." {26} So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. {27} At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." {28} So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. [These people were sincere, were they not?] {29} Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. {30} Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. {31} Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." {32} With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. {33} He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." {34} "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. {35} The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. {36} At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. {37} Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." {38} Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.   1 Kings 18:21-38

Remember the record of the Exodus, of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt? They were pursued by the entire Egyptian Army. This massive army must have been intensely focused upon their goal to have followed the Israelites into the Red Sea. Think about it - great walls of water on each side! I'd think twice before I passed that way. Many hundreds of thousands of very intensely focused men could not affect their situation in the least when the sea filled back in. They all died! Now, surely, if anyone could "believe for" a result (as the expression goes), the pursuing Egyptians would have obtained their object of desire in the Red Sea! Why did the Israelites pass safely while the Egyptian army was drowned? Because God promised Moses safety, but, the Egyptian army had no such promise.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. {16} Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:15-16

A record in Luke succinctly declares the inability of man to affect his condition by his mental abilities. The KJV renders Luke 12:25 thusly: "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?." This verse reads as follows in the NIV; "Who of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his height?" Verse 26 then continues; "Since you cannot do this very little thing...." See, to the Lord, this is just a very little thing. But, even this very little thing is not within the ability of man by worrying, which is intensely focused thought. This is the key in our own lives which, when recognized, will bring us peace and will clear away confusion in many of life's challenging situations. Desire alone is just not authoritative in the spiritual realm! If it were, the Egyptian army and the prophets of Baal would not have been disappointed in their respective expectations. Those of you who ascribe to the teaching that faith is a power that is controlled by our minds, take note of the failure of the people in these illustrations to receive the object of their expectations. They weren't disappointed because they lacked sincerity or intensity of desire. What was it that they lacked? Simply God's direction to do what they did. They needed revelation from the Lord.

Revelation is an absolute requirement for the accomplishment of a miracle! Our involvement in any accomplishment in the realm of spirit is that of meeting a required condition. Our invitation to become involved in a miracle is by grace (via written, spoken, or otherwise conveyed revelation) and is prerequisite, as is the grace with which the Lord then brings to pass the miracle by the authority of his word in the spiritual realm.

Now, let's not put God in a neat little box with the notion that revelation has to be recognized as being such before a miracle can occur. Think about your own life's experiences for a moment. Were you always aware of revelation as it came to you, or, did you only consider that it was revelation after you saw the fruit in the situation. See, there's no promise that we'll always recognize revelation when we get it, sometimes it's very subtle. But, subtle or not, when we get it, things happen. When you get consistent about obeying the Lord's direction, you get better at it. You start a good habit. Its simple!

Before I move on, let me tell you that you aren't too likely to get any information from God beyond his written word if you haven't yet obeyed what he wrote. The Bible is revelation. You don't need a special invitation to lay hands on the sick for healing. You've already got it! You don't need a special invitation to cast out demons; if they're revealed to you, cast them out.. God already said to do it, so you just do it. The Lord is there with you and in you! Consider the power we've been given as set forth in this promise from John 20:21-23.

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." {22} And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. {23} If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? {6} But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." {7} And the man got up and went home.

Now then, it can be said that when you obey revelation, you obey a trustworthy promise. Without revelation, going by your own logic and experience, you have no choice but to obey an untrustworthy premise. You see, and I can't emphasize this point enough; when we're unable to discern between truth and its counterfeit, we're unable to determine that which is trustworthy. We must learn to distinguish between truth and error by closely studying truth. The fine line between the truth and its counterfeit can be likened to the edge of a cliff. There's very little difference between the two sides from one perspective, but from another perspective, there's a vast difference. Sometimes even the difference between life and death! Its dangerous to blindly wander around the edge of a cliff. Should we blindly wander around in life and in God's word, or, should we rather have our eyes open and focused upon our Lord? A study of figures of speech used in the Bible is so important! Truth matters!

No Degrees or Magnitude of Faith

A pregnancy itself doesn't grow, but certain characteristics relative to a pregnancy do grow and change. For example, the size and development of a embryo and fetus changes, as does the size and shape of a pregnant woman. Certain characteristics relative to faith do grow and change. Since faith is a response of acceptance to truth, the amount of truth that you believe can grow. The more truth you learn, the more you have available to believe. Your willingness and ability to hear God's word can grow. Your readiness to believe God's word when you recognize it can grow, but, faith can't itself grow - just like a pregnancy can't grow. How can I say that? Because Jesus said it! Bear with me.

Remember Matthew 17:20, quoted earlier?

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' {6} He replied, 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it will obey you'.

This conclusion is like Mark's conclusion offered by revelation and appended to our Lord's statement below.

"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19 For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") Mark 7:18-19

Once I recognized this truth, I had to revise my thinking about faith. Does "little faith" really mean faith that is itself small in degree? If faith as small as a mustard seed meets the condition for the performance of a miracle, it follows logically that a little faith would allow at least the same, a little faith being "at least as much of," or, "as big as" faith as small as the very smallest of seeds. Interestingly, when the phrase "little faith" is attributed to someone in the Bible, no miracle occurs! If the Lord was telling the truth in Luke 17 and Matthew 17, the only explanation for no miracle resulting from a little faith must be found in the category of figures of speech.

Remember the quote from Bullinger read earlier? He wrote, "when a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, or to known fact, or revealed truth; or seems to be at variance with the general teaching of the scriptures, then we may reasonably expect that some  figure is employed." The usage of the phrase "little faith" is clearly figurative. Based upon a close examination of the biblical record, it seems to me that faith has no degrees of magnitude, strength, quantity or quality and, therefore, can not be measured. We will find that, "is there faith?" is the question that should be asked, and not, "how much faith."

In spite of the plain and simple teaching in Luke 17, the concept of faith as a power that varies in degree and itself influences our environment has been and continues to be promoted extensively. How has this doctrine become so popular while what I have proposed is so obscure and neglected? Perhaps one reason is by confusion of the meanings of the very different teachings which refer to seeds and to mustard seeds. Take a look at those records sometime and try to find a parable where faith is the seed that grows. There aren't any! How can that be? Sloppy reading. Sloppy teaching. Too many lazy students listening to too many lazy teachers. I'll take another look at this matter in the appendix.

That very important teaching about the size of faith continues at some length. Immediately folllowing Jesus' rather cryptic explanation of his response to their request, an apparently unrelated event takes place that actually repeats the lesson with emphasis. This is a really important passage for those of us who desire the keys to developing a hearing ear!

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" {6} He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. {7} "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? {8} Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? {9} Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? {10} So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" {11} Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. {12} As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance {13} and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" {14} When he saw them, he said, "Go , show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. {15} One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. {16} He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. {17} Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? {18} Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" {19} Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well.  Luke 17:5-19

God reveals truth in many diverse ways. One of the ways truth is revealed in God's word can be seen through an analysis of passages which contain a repetition of words and phrases. By closely noting the sequence of repeated elements, an orderly structure can be found. These elements can be seen as interrelated and interdependent parts which are organized into what can be seen as a definite pattern. Certain truths become evident upon comparison of these repeated elements. This inherent structure often supplies the general meaning of the whole and usually reveals truths which wouldn't be apparent if the relationships between the related elements of the passage weren't recognized. The analysis of structure is then a tool for examining the scriptures in order to discover concealed meanings. What follows is what I believe to be the relevant structure of Luke 17, verses 5-19.
These structural elements can be set forth in the following way:

I believe the Lord's response to the apostles' request can't really be understood without recognizing that the whole record is a single unit. The record of the cleansing of the lepers is an illustration of the Lord's teaching. This truth is reflected in the architectural structure of the passage, brought to light by means of structural analysis. The link between the two is suggested on the surface level by use of the conjunction "now" (kai - verse 11).

Let's take a closer look at the request in verse 5. "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" I think that the Greek word prostithemi (translated here as "increase") is key to understanding their request. Bullinger defines "prostithemi" thusly: "To set, put, or lay unto or with any person or thing; to join to, add unto." I looked at the 18 occurrences of prostithemi and it appears that the apostles were asking the Lord to give them something, to add something unto themselves. The Newberry Interlinear translates the request as "Give more faith to us." I don't think that the Lord could grant that request. His response first indicates that the apostles didn't understand the nature of faith. His response further indicates that what will be given is given according to merit.

Let's consider Jesus' response. He first employs a figure of speech. The phrase is more literally translated in the KJV than the NIV, rendering the phrase; "faith as a grain of mustard seed." The NIV translators translated this phrase less literally, interpreting the figure to render it; "faith as small as a mustard seed. Mark 4:31 reveals the relevant characteristic of the mustard seed which is being used in Luke 17 to teach about faith. "It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground." By saying "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed," Jesus was saying "if you have even the smallest size, amount or degree of faith." By teaching his disciples that even the smallest amount of faith leads to a great miracle, he taught them that they don't need more faith because faith is not a matter of degrees. The key is not in how much faith, but in that there is faith.

Now, he might have stopped there, having addressed the basic request, but he continues, addressing what I believe was the true desire of their hearts. By way of showing the relationship between a servant and his master, he explains duty to them, saying that doing only what is expected of them is not worthy of thanks, which is an expression of gratitude, acknowledgment, recognition, a kind of reward or honor. When a servant fulfills his dutiful obligation, the master doesn't thank him; it's just not appropriate. That would be an unmerited blessing. The Lord is just like this master in relationship with his servants. He doesn't say it directly, but, does he need to? Isn't it obvious? There's no added blessing merited by those who just do their duty. However, let me ask you this: Could an added blessing ever be earned by a servant? Yes, indeed! But any blessing added due to meritorious service wouldn't be in the category of wages earned. That would be as a bonus given according to the principle of grace. An "added" blessing would be completely outside the range of any previously agreed upon benefit. The Lord isn't required to give anything beyond such a benefit but may do so if he wants, and he does so on the basis of merit.

Think about the employee/boss relationship for a moment, which, in our culture, is similar to the master/servant relationship. What's the basis for a bonus? If you had two employees who did everything you told them to do, you'd be happy to give them their pay, wouldn't you? Sure you would! Now, let's say that one's service to you could be characterized by his carrying out your requests "to the letter." The other not only did what you told him, but freely went beyond his duty, performing his service in a manner that reflected his understanding of the purpose of your request. Which employee is worthy of a bonus? Wouldn't you gladly reward the one who did more when it came time for a raise or a promotion? The Lord is using this same principle in Luke's account to teach some important truth.

Immediately following our Lord's verbal response to their request for more faith, a vivid illustration of his teaching followed - a real life situation that must have had quite an impact on the apostles. Ten lepers do only their "duty," strictly doing just what was expected of them. They all received cleansing, which was the expected benefit, their "wage," if you will, for their obedience to the Master's command. One of them, however, goes beyond duty, beyond the minimum action commanded and was made well. This leper received honor, being marked out with distinction from the other 9 who were cleansed. Make note that the Samaritan leper came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. This leper was made well, or whole. He literally obeyed the command and then went beyond duty. It was in going beyond duty that he received reward.

I want to comment specifically about how the leper went beyond duty? He praised God with a loud voice. There's a key to remember - Hallelujah!

Now, let's note the kind of reward or additional benefit the Samaritan leper received. I've studied the Greek words used to see if this leper somehow received a better healing than the other 9. I'm not convinced that he did. His further reward may have been entirely outside the realm of healing. We can see that the Lord honored him publicly in view of the Twelve and the other followers who might have been with Jesus. Jesus specifically called attention to his "faith." Remember, when we considered the figurative usage of faith in verse 19, we saw that the word "faith" was stated instead of the more literally appropriate phrase "power of God." In this account, the figure of Metonymy seems to have been employed to bring our attention to bear on the leper's response instead of on the power of God. The leper's reward was this; to be acknowledged for his faith, his response of service beyond duty to his Master's command. Jesus not only honored this man before those who were present, but he is honored before all who read and understand Luke 17! If you think acknowledgment and recognition isn't much of a reward, take a look around you and see what people are doing for no other reason! The nature of the reward seems to be in the same category as that which Jesus said was not merited by duty alone in verse 9, which is; thanks. The further reward is recognition, acknowledgment - synonyms of thanks. He might also have received another benefit, a reward laid up to his account for future enjoyment.

At the time of the cleansing of the lepers, its very likely that the apostles were still puzzling over the Lord's response in verses 6-10. When Jesus remarked about the Samaritan leper's faith, I can imagine they just about fell over! The apostles might have looked at each other and said, "Oh!!! Now we get it!" Follow this closely, now. They had just heard Jesus' words in verses 9 and 10;

Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'

See, it's stated in verse 10 that the servants are unworthy. This cannot mean that, because they only did their duty, they're unworthy of the standard benefit they were entitled to. The implication is that they're unworthy of further reward. This is an example of a figure of speech. When a thought is implied but not directly stated, the figure called "Ellipsis" is employed. Ellipsis means "omission" and is a figure used frequently in the Bible. The idea of further reward is emphasized by means of the use of this figure, quite fitting for its role in helping us interpret the passage.

In summary of  the teaching of Luke 17:5-19, we have seen that the apostles asked the Lord to give them, or, lay unto them, faith - implying "more faith." The Lord responded to the apostles' request by first showing them that even a great miracle may occur when there simply is faith in a promise. There are no degrees of faith. It's not possible for the Lord to give them faith. How could he? Faith isn't a commodity or a kind of entity or power, but an accepting response to a promise of God. That which may be given must be earned. The strict performance of duty merits no thanks, honor or reward. Blessings beyond "wages" are merited only by service exceeding duty (Sincere expressions of praise count!). Jesus taught them that, if they want to receive some additional benefit, they must do more than is asked of them Then he showed them this truth by example, bestowing added blessing upon the one who went beyond duty.

Another scripture that expresses a similar truth is Luke 6:38.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

One benefit I've recognized from giving beyond duty is that you become more able to both receive the promises of God and respond to them with faith. When you exceed duty in your relationship with the Lord, he rewards you generously in some appropriate manner. When you faithfully serve with your whole heart, you become more able to receive the promises of God, to hear and understand the scriptures and the Lord's personal curriculum for your life. You also have your heart prepared to more readily believe the Lord's promises when you hear them. This key to developing a hearing ear is not rocket science, but it is profound!

The Heart

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Consider these two verses, mindful of the fact that the body without the heart is dead.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:17

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.  James 2:26

From Romans 10:10, we learn that it is with your heart that you believe and are justified:

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

'Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him "unclean." For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.' (In saying this Jesus declared all foods "clean.") He went on: 'What comes out of a man is what makes him "unclean." For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man "unclean."

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. {35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. {36} So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

It's our hearts that we are to guard above all else, according to Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Of course, to guard your heart doesn't mean that you should wear some steel body armor. Its a figure used to indicate that we should guard what our hearts are about, the root of our relationship with God. We'll see that, to do this, we must obey his word, keeping his commandments and honestly doing the best we can do.

What follows are some thoughts I've had about the ways of faith and the heart. I hope you'll find something there that's helpful to you.

The source of learning about things external to ourselves is our environment, all learning coming via either our senses of taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing, or by way of our spirit, if we have it. Who can deny that our genetic makeup (often called our nature) affects our thought and behavior, or that our environment (called nurture) also plays a significant role? In affecting the readiness of a person to trust God's promises, it's not the force, or, the intensity of the thought that impacts the heart so much as the preparedness of the heart to receive it. We seem to have limited control over the initial sensory input, which is primarily determined by the focus of our attention and then perhaps less so by our location within our environment. As with the initial perception, when these impressions are processed internally, it's in a manner unique to each individual. The perception of all that comes to our senses is subjective because it is interpreted according to our own unique experience. What we call a word is a "vehicle" for an idea. Words have both an intellectual and an emotional content. I think that "hearing," as in Romans 10:17 relates to the way in which information is gathered because there is no exclusion from the new birth for those with physically impaired hearing. Once this information has been received, we may affect its processing according to what we call our "freedom of will." I believe that the human mind, as God designed it and without demonic influence, gives us authority and control over this processing. This "freedom of will" is a privilege that can be lost either by damage to our minds or by evil spirit intervention. At a certain level, the manner of processing can be thought of as a "train of thought," a phrase which describes a flow along a "track" with one thought passing by at one time. The thoughts may proceed with order or erratically along the track. Involved in the manner of processing is the "conscience," which affects the direction of thought and is a collection of moral judgments based upon one's own learned standards. At a superficial level these thoughts may not have much impact on the actions of a person, however, as the thoughts begin to become "planted" they proceed from the conscious or subconscious levels of the mind towards the heart. A thought that is "planted" is at a basic level and constitutes the essence of  "who the person is" at any given time. I believe the Bible teaches that what is not then "of faith" is sin. (Romans 14:23)

James 1:21 states:

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Only God and his son Jesus Christ know what is planted. According to Hebrews 4:12: "the word of God ...judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." We don't even know what's in our own hearts, let alone someone else's, except by revelation.
 

Perseverance

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"  Luke 18:1-8

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6

Conclusion

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.  Luke 8:15

In this presentation of my thoughts about the nature of faith, I have proposed a way of thinking about faith you may never have considered before. I have shown you a few simple figures of speech that are used to convey lessons about faith. If these figures are valid,  the idea that faith literally grows or varies in size or degree is not the only way to think about faith. Though I have addressed the foundation at some length, I have yet to address the many passages that suggest otherwise, that faith actually does varies in degree. These have been reserved for the appendix.

It has been said that "Able" and "Willing" are partners in every work. The Lord has given you, friend, some very special and  unique abilities. The willingness to use them is up to you. For inspiration, look at the example of giving beyond duty in the biblical accounts of the apostle Paul's life and Peter's life. I pray that this study will help you become more able and more willing to please the Lord and that you will become a more fruitful laborer in the Lord's harvest field in these last days - bringing glory and praise and honor to Him!