Today, the focus is on the Gospel of Luke 17:14-19 to understand the side of faith that truly saves, unlike a faith that is only external and outwardly religious. When ten lepers were cleansed, only one, a Samaritan, returned to give glory to God. Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well”. Only the faith that Jesus affirms can truly save a sinner. Many claim to be born-again Christians. Ligonier’s State of Theology survey in 2025 revealed that almost half of American evangelicals believe Jesus was a great teacher but not God. This is not just biblical illiteracy. This alarming statistic shows that people are not truly saved because they do know Jesus, and their hearts are not transformed. People may be religious actors, but they have not met Jesus personally. They are like the nine lepers who were healed but did not return to give glory to God.
The text shows that the Samaritan goes back to Jesus before seeing the priest, proving that saving faith is found in Jesus Christ alone. Out of the ten lepers seeking physical healing, nine Jewish lepers continued on their own way after being healed, but the one Samaritan turned back to Christ. Turning to Christ is the key. As Martin Luther noted, “After all, Christ must be everything: the beginning, the middle, and the end of our salvation. We must lay Him down as the first or foundation stone, rest the others and themselves on Him, and also attach the rafters or the roof to Him. He is the first, the middle, and the rung in the ladder to heaven. Through Him we must begin, must continue, and must complete our progress to life.”
To turn to Christ means to convert, which is a complete change of direction. True conversion is not just saying a mere prayer, feeling close to God, or undergoing behavior modification. Any religion can modify behavior, but true conversion involves a changed heart. Theologian Robert Letham defined “Conversion is the human response to God’s work of regeneration, consisting of repentance and faith, in which a person turns from sin and turns to God in Christ.” Sinners are spiritually dead and unable to convert by human effort; they must be born again by the Holy Spirit. Repentance is turning away from sin, recognizing it as treason against God, and faith is the response of a changed heart turning to Jesus Christ to rely on His saving work.
How do believers know they have a true saving faith? The text provides several marks based on the Samaritan’s actions.
First, true converts “glorify God with a loud voice”. Recognizing God as the source of mercy, the saved heart responds to who God is and what He has done. How else can we respond to a true and powerful understanding of who God is? We are saved by God, not by anything else, not by our works, but by the grace and power of God. So we glorify God with a loud voice. Romans 11:33-36 declares that from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Believers are not ashamed to shout hallelujah publicly because they are freed from spiritual leprosy. Just as Stephen saw the glory of God before his death in Acts 7:55, Christians must be consumed with God’s glory in all circumstances.
Second, true converts worship Jesus. The Samaritan fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Since the Old Testament taught that only God is to be worshiped, bowing to Jesus recognizes His absolute deity. They recognize Jesus as God and worship. Worship is not just singing; it is yielding your will and obeying Christ’s authority, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness(Matthew 6:33). True worshippers are humble. “When you cannot understand God’s dealings, you must still bow before His throne and worship.” – Charles Spurgeon
Third, true converts give thanks to Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands that in everything give thanks, because it is God’s will. Thanksgiving reveals the heart, not just appreciation for a physical benefit. “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance on His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.” – John MacArthur
Fourth, saving faith produces a heart response. The Samaritan left the other nine behind and returned to Jesus. Just as Zacchaeus abandoned his idol of money after meeting Christ, a truly converted person decisively turns away from past sins. The Christian must leave their old life behind. The Christian must be different from what they used to be. This is a heart response.
Finally, true converts trust in Christ’s forgiveness. The Samaritan boldly trusted Jesus, just as the Apostle Paul trusted God to save him despite being a former blasphemer in 1 Timothy 1:13. There is a boldness to claim forgiveness, no matter how great the sin is. This is true trust in the infinite worth of Christ’s work. Forgiveness is unlimited because Christ died for all sins! Unrepentant sin is unforgiven sin. Every sin is forgiven, which is trust in Jesus Christ. This is why every Christian preaches the gospel to themselves every day. Remind yourself that Christ died for your sins, recall that His righteousness is credited to you, and reject the lies of condemnation.
In verse 19, Jesus officially affirms and confirms saving faith by saying, “Stand up and go”. This command implies rising up with a new relationship, a new life, and a new mission. Today, Jesus confirms faith not audibly, but through the Scripture. Hebrews 1:2 says that in these last days God has spoken through His Son. The Word of God is the final, sufficient, and authoritative voice. Believers recognize, receive, and respond to the Word of God, the Bible. Romans 10:9-11 explains that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, you will be saved. Confession requires a public, costly acknowledgment and total submission to Christ. Believers must check and examine their faith not by comparing themselves to others, but by aligning their lives with the Word of God.
There are two kinds of Christians in this world. One kind is like the nine lepers who obey outwardly but only care about the gift and the blessing, ignoring the Giver. The other kind holds onto Jesus, never letting go. They build their foundation entirely on Christ, crying out in repentance for God to be merciful to them as sinners. Jesus will hear those people and affirm that their faith has saved them. Believers must examine their faith to see if they are seeking only gifts or if they are truly living to glorify, thank, and worship Jesus Christ in all circumstances.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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