In J.C. Ryle's "Expository Thoughts on Luke 17:5-10," the central theological topic is the nature and necessity of faith within the Christian life. Ryle emphasizes that faith is foundational to salvation, underscoring that it is not inherent to humanity but a divine gift (Hebrews 11:6). He discusses the importance of acknowledging different degrees of faith, noting that both weak and strong faith exist amongst believers. Ryle further highlights the danger of self-righteousness, asserting that true humility stems from recognizing one's inherent lack of merit before God (2 Thessalonians 3:2), and that spiritual progression involves a continual prayer for increased faith. This teaching serves to encourage believers to pursue growth in faith while maintaining an attitude of dependence on God's grace rather than self-sufficiency.
Key Quotes
“Faith is the root of saving religion... He that comes unto God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
“Self-righteousness is a subtle disease which manifests itself in a hundred different ways.”
“To give up self-righteousness is absolutely needful to salvation.”
“At our best we only do our duty and have nothing to boast of.”
What does the Bible say about increasing our faith?
The Bible teaches that faith is essential for pleasing God and should be actively sought for growth.
Faith is seen as a grace that can grow and improve; it doesn’t immediately reach fullness upon its inception in the heart. The presence of both weak and strong faith reflects the reality of a believer’s journey. As Christians mature in their faith, their happiness, holiness, and usefulness to God increase. Regular prayer for increased faith should be a cornerstone of a believer's daily devotions, highlighting its vital importance in the life of a Christian.
How do we know that self-righteousness is a danger for Christians?
Self-righteousness is a subtle ailment for Christians, often manifesting in pride and a false sense of merit.
The removal of self-righteousness is essential for salvation, as it requires acknowledging that one has no inherent worth before God. True salvation comes when a person relinquishes any notion of self-merit and rests in the righteousness of Christ alone. The acknowledgment of our unworthiness before God opens the door for His grace, illuminating the reality of our sinfulness and the grace that covers it, as Paul states in 1 Timothy 1:15, recognizing himself as the chief of sinners.
Why is faith important for Christians?
Faith is foundational for Christian life, determining one's peace, hope, and relationship with Christ.
Furthermore, faith is not static; it varies in strength among believers. A healthy desire to grow in faith should be a daily aspiration, as spiritual maturity depends on this growth. Hence, Christians are encouraged to earnestly seek more faith through prayer and the study of Scripture, understanding that true faith empowers them to live out their calling and respond to God’s challenges.
UNWORTHY SERVANTS.
Let us notice, in these verses, the important request which the apostles made. They said unto the Lord, "Increase our faith."
We know not the secret feelings from which this request sprung. Perhaps the hearts of the apostles failed within them, as they heard one weighty lesson after another fall from our Lord's lips. Perhaps the thought rose up in their minds, "Who is sufficient for these things? Who can receive such high doctrines? Who can follow such a lofty standard of practice?" These, however, are only conjectures. One thing, at any rate, is clear and plain. The request which they made was most deeply important—"Increase our faith."
Faith is the root of saving religion. "He that comes unto God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6.) It is the hand by which the soul lays hold on Jesus Christ, and is united to Him, and saved. It is the secret of all Christian comfort, and spiritual prosperity. According to a man's faith will be his peace, his hope, his strength, his courage, his decision, and his victory over the world. When the apostles made request about faith, they did wisely and well.
Faith is a grace which admits of degrees. It does not come to full strength and perfection as soon as it is planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit. There is "little" faith and "great" faith. There is "weak" faith and "strong" faith.
Both are spoken of in the Scriptures. Both are to be seen in the experience of God's people. The more faith a Christian has the more happy, holy, and useful will he be. To promote the growth and progress of faith should be the daily prayer and endeavor of all who love life. When the apostles said, "increase our faith," they did well.
Have we any faith at all? This, after all, is the first question which the subject should raise in our hearts. Saving faith is not mere repetition of the creed, and saying, "I believe in God the Father—and in God the Son, and in God the Holy Spirit." Thousands are weekly using these words, who know nothing of real believing. The words of Paul are very solemn, "All men have not faith." (2 Thess. 3:2.) True faith is not natural to man. It comes down from heaven. It is the gift of God.
If we have any faith let us pray for more of it. It is a bad sign of a man's spiritual state when he is satisfied to live on old stock, and does not hunger and thirst after growth in grace. Let a prayer for more faith form part of our daily devotions. Let us covet earnestly the best gifts. We are not to despise "the day of small things" in a brother's soul, but we are not to be content with it in our own.
Let us notice, for another thing, in these verses, what a heavy blow our Lord gives to self-righteousness. He says to His apostles, "When you shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say we are unprofitable servants—
we have done that which was our duty to do."
We are all naturally proud and self-righteous. We think far more highly of ourselves, our deserts, and our character, than we have any right to do. Self- righteousness is a subtle disease, which manifests itself in a hundred different ways. Most men can see it in other people. Few will allow its presence in themselves. Seldom will a man be found, however wicked, who does not secretly flatter himself that there is somebody else worse than he is. Seldom will a saint be found who is not at seasons tempted to be satisfied and pleased with himself. There is such a thing as a pride which wears the cloak of humility. There is not a heart upon earth which does not contain a piece of the Pharisee's character.
To give up self-righteousness is absolutely needful to salvation. He that desires to be saved must confess that there is no good thing in him, and that he has no merit, no goodness, no worthiness of his own. He must be willing to renounce his own righteousness, and to trust in the righteousness of another, even Christ the Lord. Once pardoned and forgiven, we must travel the daily journey of life under a deep conviction that we are "unprofitable servants." At our best we only do our duty, and have nothing to boast of. And even when we do our duty, it is not by our own power and might that we do it, but by the strength which is given to us from God. Claim upon God we have none. Right to expect anything from God we have none. Worthiness to deserve anything from God we have none. All that we have we have received. All that we are we owe to God's sovereign, distinguishing grace.
What is the true cause of self-righteousness? How is it that such a poor, weak, erring creature as man can ever dream of deserving anything at God's hands? It all arises from ignorance. The eyes of our understandings are naturally blinded. We see neither ourselves, nor our lives, nor God, nor the law of God, as we ought. Once let the light of grace shine into a man's heart, and the reign of self-righteousness is over. The roots of pride may remain, and often put forth bitter shoots. But the reign of pride is broken when the Spirit comes into the heart, and shows the man himself and God. The true Christian will never trust in his own goodness. He will say with Paul, "I am the chief of sinners." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Tim. 1:15; Gal. 6:14.)
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