When Faith Grows, Responsibility Grows – October 5, 2025

One key truth: Sin, repentance, and forgiveness are a part of the Christian’s life—but Jesus calls us to respond with humility, accountability, and growing faith.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 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 17:1-5

When Faith Grows, Responsibility Grows

Think back for a second: What was the last thing you got in trouble for? Did you toss out a quick “SORRY!” just to get it over with… or were you actually sorry? Now flip it: when someone last wronged you, did you throw out a weak “I forgive you” because you had to—or did you mean it?

Our pride oftentimes gets in the way of doing what is right. What you consider “getting into trouble,” Jesus considered a teachable moment.

Jesus says, “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come” (v.1). In other words, don’t be the reason a person stumbles. Don’t be the reason a person looks at you and says, “This is what Christianity looks like?”

Does that mean we get a pass since things that cause people to stumble are “bound to happen”? Nope. Jesus shuts down the loophole by saying, “Watch yourselves.” Then he gets practical. If someone sins against you, call them out. If they repent, forgive them—even if they mess up seven times in one day. That works both ways—if YOU sin against someone, they should call you out. You repent, and they forgive you. No wonder the disciples blurt out: “Lord, increase our faith!” Jesus responds: “Faith as small as a mustard seed can do impossible things.” Here’s his point: even tiny faith is powerful because of who it’s in—Jesus. And as our faith grows, so does our duty. More faith doesn’t mean less responsibility; it means more opportunities to live it out—with humility.

When people notice your faith, you don’t brag about it. You simply reply as the servant did to his master, “I have only done my duty.” God be praised for a faith that won’t shrink and work done in his name!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, my pride sometimes gets in the way of reflecting the same grace and mercy you have shown me. Give me humility to repent, courage to forgive, and strength to set things right in my life that I’ve messed up. Amen.