Indictment. It is a powerful word. According to dictionary.com Indictment means— (1.) a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime; or (2.) a thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad and deserves to be condemned.
Using the second definition; I find an indicting question posed by Jesus in Luke 18.8-14. The question is: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” This is asked by the Son of Man Himself. The question follows the context it is in: “That men ought to pray and not faint.” (18.1). God does listen and does communicate and will move circumstances for us. Why do we then wait until the last minute? Why wait until it’s too late, when all of our hope is gone— to talk to Him? He mentions here the “continual nature” of prayer. It should be as long as we are in need, which is constant. Just as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5.17— “Pray without ceasing.” This is literal. Why so much debate about its meaning when our need is so constant? He will “avenge” us He says in context of Luke 18.8.
The question is: Will He find faith on the earth? Th question indicates a societal issue: That would include in churches with believers in that society. So, this is obviously above the measure of faith given to us at salvation for our spiritual discernment (def. of faith). This enables us to understand what He did and how that matters to us. (Romans 12.3— “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”) It is referring to the building of our faith— done so by praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1.20). The faith Jesus questions in Luke 18 is after salvation. This is why the context moves into an immediate parable of contrasting measurements of spiritual natures with the Pharisees in the group. (18.9)
Verse 9 of Luke 18 is pretty indicting, not only the condition of the pharisees then but also, to the present condition of modern believers. After all, Jesus was referring to the second coming and the spiritual state of the world. Will there be any spiritual discernment? As if He is saying: Will anyone see things as I see them? Of course there will be faith, but even among believers today there are so very few disciples who have the mind of Christ as David or Paul did. The parsing of verse 9 reveals the anti-thesis to faith:
- trust in themselves
- develops a self-righteousness
- eventually despising others
Is this not the present condition of so called “faith” with many believers?
Our verse concludes with a colon inferring the next verses illustrate the real point to Jesus’ indicting question. Luke 18.10— “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.” Notice it says they went to the temple to pray. Of course today the temple is our body (1 Corinthians 6.19-20). He is IN us. In the illustration: one was a religious leader (pharisee) and the other basic street riffraff (publican). Their prayer is the issue (11). The Pharisee uses prayer as a vehicle to compare himself with others. Specifically he mentions how he is better than the ones who do obvious unrighteousness acts. Then he singles out the one nearest to him, the publican. He does this “to himself,” meaning he wasn’t talking out loud. He compares himself in himself where no one would hear. I would think almost every believer I know says these very things in their prayers or at least in their mind, including me at times. Surely we know all thoughts and intentions are accessed by God at all times. Is the question haunting you yet as it does me?— will I find faith when I return?. The Pharisee now mentions his own accomplishments: “fasts and gives.” Again, this is similar to modern christianity where the system is based so much on what you DO. A spiritual check list, figuratively and in some cases, sadly, a literal list.
Then the comparison. Given by Jesus to define what real faith looks like in verse 13: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” He stood “afar off” which indicates his unworthiness. He wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven which indicates his humility. He smote his breast which indicates his brokenness. Asked God for mercy which indicates his meekness. All of this adds up to what real faith truly is! This man spiritual discerned (faith) his condition, which can only be explained and revealed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus finalized the story by giving His final judgement of the situation: Luke 18.14— “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Yet today, the age the Lord looks to return, we find believers are for the most part the opposite of this publican. They resemble the Pharisee:
- trust in themselves
- develops a self-righteousness
- eventually despising others
If you have been in church for any length of time, you know this to be true. Sad. But more than that, its sin! You see, when you ignore the Spirit’s promptings and then chose to self justify you not only alienate people and ruin your joy; but you also tell the Lord you are right and you have a better method. Romans 14.23b— “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Have you ever heard the phrase— “but by the grace of God so go I?” Well, that can so easily be the pharisee in us speaking. The publican said… I am that scum and I am no better than them, even with the grace of God. Also indicating that the grace of God was for you AND them.
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Good question, but an indicting one.