Rob Witham

This article is the first in a five-part mini-series on faith.

Jesus asked the question, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18.8 WEB) In my experience, this statement is often thought to apply to a secularization of the world’s population in the last days. In other words, there will be fewer religious people and more pagans as the return of the Son of Man nears. However, Jesus was addressing his disciples and a crowd of religious, God-fearing people. People like us!

Jesus was very specifically teaching about persistence in prayer, telling a parable about an unrighteous judge and a persistent widow to illustrate a God concerned for his people. Jesus was addressing people who believed in God and prayed - some true believers and some just religious folk who thought they were okay. But they were people like you and me.

This passage is so pertinent because so many in our world do not believe in prayer, that God answers prayer or in his supernatural involvement with his people. So many grow weary when praying and do not push through until they receive an answer.

This entire passage is within the larger context of a discussion about faith and people of God. Jesus is not asking if there will be any God-fearing people left when the Son of Man returns; Jesus is asking if faith will be found amongst those who claim to be God’s children!

Links to the full series:

• Will the Son of Man find faith on earth?
• The righteous shall live by faith.
• Faith and works must co-exist if faith is genuine.
• The assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
• Test your own selves.