No Extra Credit
Imagine This
A teacher gives a group an assignment, but the students argue they aren’t able to accomplish it.
The teacher assures them to go forward with the project, and to their surprise they complete it in record time.
The students turn to the teacher and say “We did it! Surely we deserve extra credit for accomplishing the task!”
But the teacher looks at them and says, “You did well. But in the end you only did what I asked, not more than I asked.”
Sometimes we approach obedience the same way. Before we obey, we make excuses for why the command is too difficult. Then after we obey, we want extra credit for doing it.
Jesus addresses both attitudes in Luke 17.
Read Together
Read Luke 17:3–10 together.
Notice how the conversation moves from forgiveness, to faith, to humble obedience.
Scripture Overview
Jesus gives His disciples a difficult command: forgive radically. If someone sins against you and repents, forgive them. Even if that happens seven times in one day, Jesus says to forgive again.
The apostles respond, “Increase our faith!”
Their reaction makes sense. Forgiving someone who repeatedly hurts you can feel impossible. But Jesus answers that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish what seems impossible.
In other words, don't make lack of extraordinary faith an excuse for disobedience. The issue isn't having an enormous amount of faith. It is trusting God enough to do what He says.
Then Jesus tells a short parable.
A servant works all day plowing or tending sheep. When he comes inside, his responsibilities aren't finished. He prepares his master's meal and serves him. The servant doesn't expect the master to become indebted to him simply because he did what he was commanded.
Jesus concludes:
“We have only done our duty.”
That completes the thought.
Forgive even when it's hard. Don't claim you need extraordinary faith before you can obey. And when you do obey, don't think too highly of yourself for doing it.
We sometimes want extra credit for difficult obedience. We forgive someone who really hurt us, make an expensive sacrifice, serve when no one else will, or remain faithful through something difficult, and begin thinking God should be particularly impressed.
Jesus reminds us that obedience doesn't put God in our debt.
There is no extra credit for doing what our Lord has asked us to do.
Talk About It
Why do you think the apostles responded to Jesus' command to forgive by saying, “Increase our faith”?
What does Jesus' mustard-seed response teach us about making excuses for disobedience?
Why might doing something especially difficult for God tempt us toward spiritual pride?
Is there something you know God wants you to do that you've been treating as too difficult to obey?
Practice This Week
Identify one difficult act of obedience you've been avoiding.
Maybe it's forgiving someone, apologizing, serving someone, giving something up, or doing something else you know is right.
Ask God for help, trust Him, and do what He has asked.
Then resist the temptation to congratulate yourself.
Before obedience, don't make excuses.
After obedience, don't expect extra credit.
Prayer
God, give us faith to obey You even when what You ask is difficult. Keep us from using our weakness as an excuse for disobedience.
And when we obey, keep us humble. Remind us that everything we have comes from You and that our obedience never places You in our debt.
Help us faithfully do what You have called us to do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
