 Luke 7:37-50, “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
I love this precious story in the Scriptures. This woman was a big sinner (as are we all if we're honest with our selves). I am the biggest sinner that I know (and so are you if you're right with God). Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned...” 1st John 1:8-10 teaches that we are calling God “a liar” if we deny our wickedness. We all have many sins if we'll be honest. I don't have a single fault. That's right... I HAVE MANY FAULTS! The big hypocrites who go around parading other people's sins only do so because they woefully fail to recognize the mountain of sins in their own life. Jesus taught this truth in Matthew 7:1-5. When you point your finger at someone
else in condemnation, there are three fingers pointing back at you!
When we truly grasp the failures, deliberate sins and wickedness in
each of our own lives, only then will we truly begin to fathom to
grace of God that sent Jesus to the cross to pay for our sins. David Learned The Wondrous Grace Of God Only After He Sinned King David in the Old Testament was called “a man after God's own heart.” I believe this is because David was a man after God's own Words. Psalms 139:17, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” David loved the Bible! Yet, this man after God's own heart stole Bath-Sheba to be his own wife. David commit adultery, impregnated Bath-Sheba unintentionally and then deliberately murdered her husband to hide the evil he had done. Then David went about life as usual and may have never repented if it weren't for God sending Nathan the prophet to confront David with what he had wickedly done. What a horrible man! David hit rock bottom spiritually in his life, but it was ONLY THEN that David truly began to comprehend the wondrous grace of God...
Oh sure, every Christian knows that they are a sinner. However, it's not until one truly sins (what people unbiblically call “deep sin”) and goes to prison, or loses their marriage, or is stigmatized by society everywhere they go (or all of the above), losing everything near and dear to them, and has to bear the reproach of their sins for the rest of their natural life—only then can a believer truly begin to understand the depth of God's love, mercy and grace. Only then can a believer begin to truly appreciate the blood of Jesus Christ that washes our sins away for ever. It's not until a person has nothing left but Christ that they finally begin to see that Christ is all they need. David suffered for his sins for the rest of his life. He went to do his laundry and saw his neighbour's back toward him, afraid to talk with him because of the gossip spreading around town. David's neighbours stopped inviting him to anything and avoided him, afraid to associate with him anymore because of David's sins. Psalms 31:11, “I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.” David went to a local church and the Senior Pastor told him not to come back. David was shunned and ignored in local
stores and where he normally shopped. David became a marked man, as
if having the curse of Cain upon him. Even many years later, hateful
people still dug up old dirt, tearing off the healing scab on
David's heart, trying to hurt him. Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred
stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
WE HAVE SINNED (we
are to enter into the yoke with a fallen brother as if we have
sinned with him). Our churches will become Christlike when we
stop saying, “He has sinned,” and “she has sinned,” and we start
saying, “WE HAVE SINNED!” God's Opinion Is The Only Opinion That Matters Ah, but David came to the realization that some people would NEVER forgive him, nor stop condemning and slandering him for the rest of his life. One angry man even cast stones and dust upon David in public (2nd Samuel 16:13). So David comes to the Biblical conclusion that the only one he needs to be concerned with is God. Psalms 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” My friend, when you sin (and you will), seek God's forgiveness and then leave your burden on the mercy seat where Jesus' precious blood is sprinkled. Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” It matters not what men may say; but rather, that your sins have been cleansed away by the blood of Jesus. When you are reminded of past sins, whether by Satan, self or self-righteous people, you just remember that your sins have been washed away by Jesus literal, physical, precious blood!!! The Lord's blood is presently on the mercy seat in the heavenly holy place (Hebrews 9:12,22-24). The wicked hypocrites attacking him only did so because they had never addressed the pile of sins in their own life. We read in 1st Timothy 5:24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” Those hypocrites who today take the liberty of kicking, condemning and destroying others because of their sins will one day be dealt with in the same manner by God Himself. This is exactly what Matthew 7:1-2 teaches, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” David, as does every Christian at some time in their life, took everything for granted. David became relaxed in his faith and, before his own fall, had become extremely pious, judgmental and ready to chop off anyone's head who was guilty of wickedness. Our churches are filled with these type of believers today, who are quick to condemn, ridicule and bad mouth others who commit sin, as if that person is a bigger sinner than them.
The ungodly world makes excuses, calling sin “Karma” instead, which is a lie. “Karma” is a Buddhist concept of retribution in the afterlife for good or bad done throughout a person's life; however, sin is violating the commandments of God in the holy Bible. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23), both physical and the second death in Hell forever and ever (Revelation 21:8), tormented by God's vengeance in flames of literal fire (2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9). Isaiah 1:18-21, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. The Hebrew word for “crimson” in Isaiah
1:18 is “tôlâ‛tôlê‛âh tôla‛ath tôla‛ath” (what a big word!)
and means “a maggot (as voracious); specifically the crimson grub,
but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cloths
dyed therewith.” The word “voracious” is very interesting and means
“excessively greedy and grasping; devouring or craving food in great
quantities.” The Biblical use of the word crimson here is in the
sense of a DYE. Hence, although your life seems stained beyond ever
being cleansed, the blood of Jesus CAN wash away the darkest and
deepest stains of sin, justifying the sinner in the eyes of God by
faith, JUST-IF-I'D never sinned. Isn't that beautiful? What an
awesome and merciful God! Having Few Sins Forgiven Causes One To Love Little And Condemn Others Notice the precious Bible verse in Micah 7:19 where we are PROMISED that God will have compassion on those who repent toward God by faith in Christ to be forgiven of their sins. God then casts our sins to the depths of the sea, to the bottom of the ocean... Micah 7:19, “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Notice that it is God Who subdues our iniquities. Only God can conquer the demons of addiction to gossip, sex, lust, booze, drugs, spending, gluttony, stealing, gambling, lying, et cetera. My friend, neither you nor I can overcome a life of sin without the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit of God living through us. The Holy Spirit is GOD WITH US!!! Galatians 2:20, “I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless... ...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” We don't need God's help to live righteously; but rather, we must to WALK IN THE SPIRIT Whom indwells us as God's children (Romans 8:9), yielding to His leading in accordance with the Word of God. The Holy Spirit ALWAYS works together and closely with the Holy Bible. There is a night-and-day difference between the two concepts of karma and sin. Karma is unbiblical. We are all sinners!!! Wiccan witches use “karma,” as do other false religions. God saves sinners, not the self-righteous who are in denial about their sins and consequently, don't think they need a Savior. We all need a Savior, and thank God we have one in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ! This dear woman's sins were MANY, and they were all FORGIVEN by faith in Christ. Amen! In our article's text passage Luke 7:47 says, “HER SINS, WHICH ARE MANY, ARE FORGIVEN.” Since she had been forgiven of MANY SINS by the Lord, such unconditional love compelled her to love much in return. HER SINS, WHICH ARE MANY! But now she has been forgiven, cleansed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ! Amen! Thank you Lord for dying for OUR SINS! Do you have many sins friend? I do. I'm not proud of my sins, but I have many sins in my past of which I am sorrowful. Everyone has some sins in their past, which they are not proud of. My sins are between me and God alone with Whom I have to give account at the judgment in eternity (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11). Your sins are not my business, nor are my sins your concern. My pastor used to often say, “Don't be afraid to admit to people that you have feet of clay, but never show them your feet.” In other words, don't be afraid to openly admit that you are a sinner, but never tell anyone your sins, because it may end up on YouTube, archived for the world to view. I've had men confess crimes to me, horrible evils from their past of which they are now regretful. I am quick to admit that I am a sinner, and I will admit a fault or two, like being forgetful, but I never share my past sins with anyone because it's a loaded question and none of their business. Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” There is a wonderful truth here. The Hebrew word for “a name” is shêm and means, “Identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others.”
Always protect your name, even if it's already tarnished because of slander, lies or truthful sins in one's past. Jesus never sinned even once, yet His enemies succeeded to convince many people that He was a liar, lunatic and bastard (not virgin born). The Bible teaches that the critics who lack love and spend their time attacking others and sowing discord only do so because they have LITTLE SINS FORGIVEN. Don't miss this important truth, because it will change your entire mindset and life for ever.
Perhaps your sins are MANY. I know that my sins are MANY. I'm not proud to be a sinner, but I am honest enough to admit what I am. My pastor used to say, “Don't be afraid to admit to others that you have feet of clay, but don't ever show them your feet.” Your sins and mine are nobody's business! The Bible teaches to confess our “FAULTS” one to another, but never our sins. James 5:17, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another...” I've had people confess unbelievable sins to me. I never condemn anyone; but rather, I express God's love to them and the forgiveness offered to humanity through Jesus. All people are woeful sinners! Brother Jack Hyles (1926-2001) decided early in his life's ministry to view troublesome people as being BROKEN rather than write them off as being BAD. The biggest sinners are the religious hypocrites who fail to see their own sinfulness. My friend, YOU and I are big sinners! The Bible teaches that a just (righteous) man falls seven times, yet rises again. He rises again because he's righteous by faith in the Lord and the Holy Spirit picks him back up spiritually. Proverbs 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” The righteous man stumbles in sin because he is a sinner, but he rises again because he is a righteous man. The wicked on the other hand don't even try to live right, they just walk in darkness and hateth the light. The Gospel is not a matter of promising God to do better, nor to amend our sinful ways, nor to reform nor give up the world; but rather, to freely receive the gift of God on the basis of Christ's blood sacrifice. Jesus died, was buried and resurrected from the dead. What great news! Christ paid for our sins! Christ is risen! There is hope for the vilest sinner, because it's not what we do that gets us into Heaven; but rather, what Jesus did for us at Calvary! Salvation is freely given and freely received. Eternal life is a free gift. We are not saved in any way by our own self-righteous efforts or works. It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Look to Jesus! Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” |
