PARABLE OF THE UNJUST JUDGE

[Albert Finch]

Luke 18:1-8 - 18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” NASB

Continuing in prayer (as the widow kept coming to the judge) for a need is not unbelief. If the burden is still on your heart then continue to pray! The Lord will not give you a false burden. The very fact that you still sense an urgency for breakthrough is enough to believe that victory is yet to come. The Lord can tell us when a breakthrough occurs. And until He does we must pray.

Jesus' intention for this kind of persistence is to instill an unwavering faith in the midst of every obstacle. And this kind of faith is developed by stretching our faith muscles.

This widow knew her legal rights and was bold, confident and persistent. You must know your legal rights, in Christ, before you approach God.

"However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find FAITH on the earth?”

Faith is a force:
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered and said to them, “truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force (as a precious prize – a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion).

Faith is a seed:
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, “If you had the faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.

Faith is a servant:
Luke 17:7-10 “Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, ‘Sit down and eat’? Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, ‘Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I have finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper’? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what is expected of him? It is the same with you. When you have done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’” (Faith does not perform beyond what you believe. You put your own limits on faith. You have command over your faith like a master has command over his servants.)

Faith is a spirit:
2 Corinthians 4:13 Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, therefore I have spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak. (Spirits are transferable. The spirit of faith will transfer to others.)

Faith sanctifies:
Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Faith sanctifies the renewing of your mind to the word of God. Attitudes are manifestations of some spirit.)

Affirmations:

IN CHRIST JESUS DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. SINCE I AM IN CHRIST JESUS THAT FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD DWELLS IN ME. (Colossians 2:9)

I AM A SON OF GOD SINCE I AM LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. (Romans 8:14)

I HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

CHRIST IN ME GIVES ME THE POWER TO LABOR FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIVES OF OTHERS. (Colossians 1:29)

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY