“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7, AMP)
“So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for His chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t He stick up for them? I assure you, He will. He will not drag His feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when He returns?” (Luke 18:7, MSG)
Notice the word, ‘persistent’ in these 2 translations of Luke 18:7. In many translations this word is not used nor even implied though both the Amplified and Message do. But also look at how the inclusion adds further depth to understanding the verse. Often this verse is referencing the Second Coming, and I think this context is accurate. Also, whether or not you believe we are living in the end times, the question remains: will you stand when it is posed and say, “Yes! I believe.” (Is there evidence that affirms this position for you?)
When I first read this verse, the question about faith intrigued me. However, in the intervening years, I do see just how valid this question is. Look around you, do you see faith touching lives daily? In what ways is faith evident in people’s words and actions? In yours? The question is valid regardless of the times and should form some basis for how we act in our world.
‘Faith’ is not something we act on or speak about only when we are with fellow believers. If it isn’t evident in all of our living, why? If faith isn’t one of our strengths, it should be. Again I remind you of the whole armor of God explained in Ephesians 6. This is critical for the times we live in. It isn’t something ‘nice’ to bring out and dust off occasionally.
“Above all, lift up the [protective] [a]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16. AMP)
Faith is a weapon that we are to use … not against people but against the strategies of the devil (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). And faith IS something that everyone and everything can see. Faith…Above all! Regardless of when the Lord returns, will He see us speaking and acting in faith?
