Thread by @glprater

#GeraldsDevotional
3 - Faith that Truly Saves – Evidenced by What We Do
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In today’s third part of this series, we will read about a clear example of evidence that can be seen in our lives that proves that we are truly saved. But what does it mean to be truly saved? You see, because of sin we are all (without exception) broken and in desperate need of

so very much. Before the fall in Genesis 3, there was never any lack of provision for anything. God had provided for all of our needs including physical (like food, safety, and health – there was no sickness or disease), social and emotional (we were never separated or alone,

especially not from God), and of course there was no death, which means being separated from God who is the one true source of Life.

So in today’s scripture as we continue reading the description of Luke in chapter 17, Jesus is traveling from the northern regions down to

Jerusalem. Along this journey it says that He passed through Samariaand Galilee (where He grew up as a Galilean). In summary, He met 10 men who had a serious and deadly disease that required them to be isolated from all others (social needs). When He met them, it appears that

they had all heard about Jesus and they all asked Him to do for them what they had heard that He could do. They all recognized that they had a desperate need.

On the surface, it appeared that they all believed and were saved. You see, they all called upon Jesus and asked Him to

heal them. THEN, when He told them what to do to be cleansed (a very simple thing), they all immediately obeyed and did it. And when they did, their need (as they understood it in the natural) was immediately met. But one of them recognized that a much deeper need had actually

been met. He recognized that his leprosy had only been a symptom and that he had a much deeper need. He saw the evidence of the presence of God, recognized His holy touch and he freely chose to return, to humble himself, and to give praise and glory to God.

Jesus said that it was this man’s faith in God that healed (saved) him. And what he did gave evidence of that faith. It is also interesting to note that it was the Samaritan (a foreigner) who understood and gave thanks to God. It appears that the others were Galileans who also

grew up in the same region as Jesus and should have had the advantage of familiarity. This reminds me of a similar situation described in Mark 6:4 where after being rejected by many people of Nazareth, Jesus said “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.”

Mark said that Jesus could not do a lot of mighty works there because of the unbelief of the people.

So in the end, we are saved only by faith. And the faith that truly heals and saves us is based on what we truly believe about God. And the evidence of what we truly believe is

given by what we do. Now let’s read and ponder this encounter as found in Luke 17 beginning at verse 11.

Ten Lepers Cleansed
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalemthat He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master,

have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his

face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him,

“Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” - Luke 17:11-19
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