“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 15:1-10:

In this chapter, the Lord is going to deal with challenging and changing attitudes He encountered while in the flesh, concerning sinners. The Pharisees and scribes classed as sinners all who failed to observe the traditions of the elders; especially their rules and rituals of purification. This last issue caused them to estimate many to be unworthy of their time and effort, and based on their traditions, unworthy to even dine with.

Text #1:

Luke 15:1-2 “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

A couple of points to consider before we continue:

1)  The Lord's association with sinners; perceived or otherwise, never included participation in their sinful behavior.

2)  The Lord knew the hearts of the Pharisees and scribes, which are what, will prompt the three parables to follow. In these parables every class of sinner will be introduced and all will be subject to the principles of redemptive love.

3)  Anything and everything in these parables described as lost, refers to sinners in their various forms. Also, as a point of interest, note how the three parables as they progress, diminish in the numbers of contrast (1 in 100; 1 in ten, 1 of two). Always the focus is on the ‘one' lost!

4)  In these parables, let us consider the attitude of Jesus and the lost!

Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

Text #2:

Luke 15:3-7 “So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Also see: Matthew 18:10-14 for similar instruction.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep –

1)  The parable starts with, “what man of you”. This is given to Pharisees and scribes who were perceived as respectable among the people. This parable demonstrates their hypocrisy as servants of God, as they will place a higher value on their livestock than their brethren.

2)  The parable of the lost sheep describes a gradual sinner. Sheep are literally not one of the brightest of God's creatures. If they are left unattended for any length of time, they will graze towards the best grub, without concern for the environment. Before Long they have grazed away from the flock and safety and become easy to pick off by the various predators.

3)  There is a noticeable effort to find that which was lost. This emphasizes the attitude that should have existed between the religious leaders and those who where lost.

4)  There is joy and celebration in the success of the returned sheep instead of judgment and a spirit of exclusion.

5)  Remember that the Lord has come to seek and save that which was lost (like the man who left the 99 to seek the one). The Lord has already taught a similar lesson to the Pharisees and scribes, when He had accepted the invitation of Matthew (Levi), to dine with him and other tax collectors. In His teaching to them then as well as now, the leaders of the people should have been shoulder to shoulder with Him.

Luke 5:31-32 “Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

6)  If they had placed the same value on the lost (sinners), which they had placed on the upright, they would have gladly shared in the work of the Lord; instead of being at odds with Him, or attempting to judge Him. We will talk about it in more detail towards the end of the chapter; but it would be this attitude towards the lost that caused them to be the worst of all the lost.

Text #2:

Luke 15:8-10 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Coin –

1)  The coin that was lost was a ‘Drachma'. This was a valuable coin often worn in a ten piece garland that married women wore around their heads.

2)  This parable illustrates those who are lost to negligence. The garland was something that was taken off and put back on daily and usually maintained a conspicuous place. However, this woman would not have realized the loss of the coin until the garland was removed and finally inspected.

3)  Again we see as in the first parable a concerted effort to seek that which was lost! This again is given to show the attitude that should be foremost to all concerning that which is lost.

4)  Again there is joy and celebration for the lost coin, which again is emphasized by the Lord in the final statement (Vs. 10).

5)  Additionally, we again see the attitude that should have existed in those who claimed to be servants of God. They, like the Lord, should have made it their priority to seek that which was lost.

6)  Both of these parables exist to show that what the Lord demonstrated in His teaching and association with the sinners was both right and to the shame of the Pharisees and scribes; what they should have also been practicing.

Whether sinners become lost due to a gradual fall or due to negligence, there can be little doubt concerning the value of all of the souls of men to God. Likewise, the same or even greater effort should be given in restoration of those whom have fallen, than on those who remain faithful.

In the next lesson, we will look at those who are lost and their eyes are wide open to their state and as I mentioned earlier, the worst of all the lost will be described.

Next: “The Parable of the Lost Son”

(Prodigal Son)