Forgiveness And The Way You Love

How deeply do you feel your forgiveness from God? And how does that connect to the way you love, accept, and forgive others?

Is there a connection?

I believe there is—and in times like these, with so much division in our country, I think it’s a question worth asking.

Remember the story of the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner?

“A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume.” (Luke 7:37-38 NCV)

It almost sounds scandalous, doesn’t it?

But then: “When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, ‘If Jesus were a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner!’” (Luke 7:39 NCV)

Jesus, knowing exactly what the Pharisee was thinking, responded with a story:

“Two people owed money to the same banker. One owed five hundred coins and the other owed fifty. They had no money to pay what they owed, but the banker told both of them they did not have to pay him. Which person will love the banker more?” (Luke 7:41-42 NCV)

The Pharisee answered, “The one who owed more.” Exactly.

Then Jesus drops the truth bomb:

“I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.” (Luke 7:47 NCV)

Let that sink in.

People who are full of hate... people who are constantly griping, criticizing, and unwilling to forgive, love, or show grace—maybe it’s because they don’t truly realize how much they’ve been forgiven.

Maybe they haven’t come to God and asked for the forgiveness Jesus died to give them.

Romans 5:8 says, “Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” Think about that.

While we were still in our mess, still sinning, still broken (and still are) - Christ died for us.

He didn’t wait until we had it together. Who loves like that? Who forgives like that? Who pours out grace like that?

Only God. Only Christ. Only the Holy Spirit.

Those who’ve been forgiven much—love much. Those who think they’ve been forgiven little—love little.

There is nothing like God’s grace. And there is nothing like extending that love and forgiveness to others.

When we give love away, we don’t lose anything—we gain everything.

GOD, thank You for Jesus Christ—for Your love and for Your forgiveness. Help me love like you. IJNIP amen. ♥️