When Jesus told the disciples that they must forgive a brother who trespassed against them not only once, but seventy times seven times, the disciples were overwhelmed at the difficulty of observing this injunction, and said, "Increase our faith," just as a little while before they had asked, "What shall we receive?" Now they uttered the language of would be Christians: "We wish to believe, but cannot; strengthen our faith that we may be saved: make us believe either by miracles or promises of karma, make us to have faith in our salvation."

The disciples said what we all say: "How pleasant it would be if we could live our selfish life, and at the same time believe that it is far better to practice the doctrine of God by living for others." This disposition of mind is common to us all; it is contrary to the meaning of the doctrine of Jesus, and yet we are astonished at our lack of faith. Jesus disposed of this misapprehension by means of a parable illustrating true faith. Faith cannot come of confidence in this world. Faith can come only of a consciousness of our condition. Faith is based only upon the dictates of reason as to what is best to do in a given situation. He showed that this faith cannot be awakened by the law of karma, which can only arouse a feeble confidence that will fail at the first trial. But the faith which removes mountains, the faith nothing can shatter, is inspired by the consciousness of our inevitable loss if we do not profit by the salvation that is offered.