Gospels in Harmony – Luke 18:1-8 Vengeance Produces Faith

[Study Aired September 8, 2020]

Luk 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men  ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city  a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there  was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge  me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward  he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet  because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her  continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the  unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which  cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell  you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son  of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

In our last series of studies, we saw the baptisms which begin our journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now we must endure until the end to be saved. Christ’s point in this parable is to never cease from being diligent in seeking the Kingdom of God until the fullness of our inheritance comes to be, patiently waiting on the Lord to work His vengeance. 

(BBE) Luk 18:1 And he made a story for them, the point of which was that men were to go on making prayer and not get tired; 

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but  he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The saying “endure unto the end” is mentioned three times for the following reason.

Mar 13:5 -13 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name,  saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall  hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such  things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall  rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and  troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to  yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the  synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before  rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the  gospel must first be published among all nations. But when  they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand  what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever  shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that  speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother  to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall  be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

1Th 5:14-18 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are  unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but  ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all  men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing  give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus  concerning you. 

1Pe 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of  God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon  him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your  adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom  he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the  same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the  world. 

Why are we to always pray? Here is Christ’s explanation via a parable. 

Luk 18:2-6 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not  God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and  she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he  would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though  I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth  me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary  me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

The widow would not give up until she was satisfied. She represents our new man.  Once we are truly born again by the baptism of water, fire and the spirit, our new man will not cease from praying to endure the trials of this life which produce vengeance on the old man. We are given our power to avenge from the Father through Christ.

Luk 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day  and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that  he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man  cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

The Lord is our judge, and He only has the power to avenge us of our old ways.

Rom 12:16-21 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not  high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in  your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide  things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as  lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,  Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if  thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so  doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of  evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Deu 32:35-43 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence;  their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at  hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. For  the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his  servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none  shut up, or left. And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock  in whom they trusted, Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help  you, and be your protection. See now that I, even I, am he, and  there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal:  neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my  hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering  sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render  vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I  will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour  flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from  the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Rejoice, O ye nations,  with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and  will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

The new man’s thoughts are given here in Psalms 94.

Psa 94:1-23 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up  thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the  proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked  triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all  the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy  people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow  and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The  LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard  it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when  will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that  formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen,  shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he  know? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and  teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from  the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the  LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his  inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all  the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against  the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of  iniquity? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost  dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD,  held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts  delight my soul. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with  thee, which frameth mischief by a law? They gather themselves  together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the  innocent blood. But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the  rock of my refuge. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity,  and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our  God shall cut them off. 

Here are our verses again and some final thoughts.

Luk 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men  ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city  a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there  was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge  me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward  he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her  continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the  unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which  cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell  you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son  of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

We will find the answer to this question throughout the scriptures.

Heb 10:30-39 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall  into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former  days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both  by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became  companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of  me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence,  which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of  patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come  will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if  any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Isa 59:14-17 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice  standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot  enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh  himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that  there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and  wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought  salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he  put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation  upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 

Eph 6:10-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the  power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle  not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against 

powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against  spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the  whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the  evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having  your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of  righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all  perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that  utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,  to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an  ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought  to speak. 

Will there be faith? Who is given faith?

Psa 31:21-24 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his  marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut  off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of  my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall  strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. 

I will conclude our study with James 2. 

Jas 2:1-26 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto  your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there  come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to  him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here  in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here  under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are  become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and  heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love  him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbouras thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For  whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said  also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou  art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy  rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith  save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if  it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy  works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest  that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and  tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith  wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Here are the verses for the next study. 

Luk 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted  in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two  men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the  other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,  God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,  unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week,  I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. 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.