Originally Posted by Winman

And to add one more thing. Not everybody who gets saved shows fruit. The fact that Luke has a desire to do what's right is proof that God has done a work in his heart. The Pharisees were religious just like a lot of lost church members but their hearts were not right with God. Don't try to convince a reprobate or someone in open sin that they are saved (they may be) but encourage them to examine themselves just like Paul did.

Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, 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 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

One third of all the miracles recorded in the Bible make absolutely no reference to faith at all on the part of the one being healed or relieved of his misery. Only one leper was made whole; the other nine were cleansed outwardly, but the grateful Samaritan was healed inwardly as well.



First of all, disease and sickness is representative of sin. Just as the blind, and the lame, the deaf and dumb, and lepers could not cure themselves of their diseases, a man cannot cure himself of sin either. Jesus is the Great Physician who can cure us of our sin disease.

Imagine Jesus telling a blind person, "Start seeing and I will heal your blindness" Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Well, it is the same with sin. We cannot stop sinning, we are sinners, that is what sinners do. No, it is Jesus who heals us from sin so that we might live for him.

But how many lepers did Jesus heal here?

10

Jesus healed all ten, but only one came back to praise him and worship him. But the other nine were just as cleansed as this one. And that is how it is. You know, I have seen little children come to church a few times, but believe on Jesus and receive him as Saviour. Then, for different reasons they quit coming, sometimes falling into great sin years later. But many do come back when they are older like the prodigal son. They were saved, even if it may not have appeared so, just as nine out of these ten lepers went on their way, and only one turned back to worship Jesus at the time.