Monday, September 29, 2014

A Sinful Woman Forgiven



Loving well is what God has called us to do.
The world is full of people
craving for grace and love.
Are we loving graciously?
~*~*~
{Luke 7:36~50} speaks of a sinful woman forgiven.
In verse 36~ Jesus was invited to a meal
and it was in the home of a Pharisee, Simon.
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20
that if we hear His voice and allow Him in,
He will sup with us.
Jesus thought it was important 
that we break bread together.
Often we see in God's Word
where fellowship was centered around a meal.
Don't you find it comforting
to visit and fellowship with others
around the table with a meal?
~*~*~
In verses {36~38} It was customary in that day
for outsiders to hover around during banquets
so they could watch the "important people"
and hear the conversation.
Since everything was open they could
enter the banquet hall and speak to a guest.
That would explain how the woman
was able to reach Jesus.
Jewish Rabbis did not speak
to women in public,
nor did they eat with them in public.
A woman of this type would not be welcomed
in the house of  Simon the Pharisee.
~*~*~
This woman was known for her sin.
I think this woman was a hurting woman.
You know people must have talked about her.
She likely built walls around her heart.
You know how people can be...
Hurtful with their words~
Hurtful with their actions~
I'm sure being looked upon as a woman
of ill repute would cause her to become hard hearted.
~*~*~
Oh Lord Jesus, may grace be upon our lips
as we speak to others,
may grace be in our actions and lives
as You have called us to love graciously
in a world where there are many hurting people.


Something drew this woman into this banquet
so she could know something about this Jesus.
Something must have told her
that Jesus was trustworthy.
Something Jesus said or did
began to break down the walls of her heart.
~*~*~
The woman admitted she was a sinner
and gave evidence that she was
a repentant sinner.
Her tears~ her humble attitude~ and her expensive gift~
all spoke of her changed heart.
~*~*~
Simon, on the other hand, 
was a critical host verses {39~43}
Simon got his feathers all ruffled up.
He judges Jesus for responding 
to this "sinful" woman. 
YIKES!!
Simon's  real problem was
blindness; he could not see himself,
the woman, or the Lord, his honored guest.
It was easy for him to say
"she is a sinner!"
but impossible for him to say,
"I am also sinner!"
How easy it is to point the finger!
It is easy for any of us to see the wrong in others,
but over look what is in our own hearts.
In verses {40~47} Jesus reveals Simon's deeds.
Everything that Simon neglected to do,
{ wash Jesus' feet~gave Him no kiss~ and did not anoint His head with oil}
the woman did~and she did it from her heart.
The parable does not deal with the amount of sin
in a persons life but the awareness 
of that sin in his heart.
~*~*~
Forgiveness is a gift of God's grace; 
the debt was paid in full by Jesus Christ.
{Ephesians 1:7 & 1Peter 1:18&19}
Verses {48~50} "
And Jesus said unto her, thy sins are forgiven,
 thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
This woman was not saved by her tears and her gift.
Jesus made it clear that it was her faith
alone that saved her.
No amount of good works 
can pay for our salvation.
{Titus 3:4~7}
~*~*~
Grace is love that pays a price,
and that price was the death of the 
Son of God on the cross.
~*~*~
The woman knew that her sins were forgiven
because Jesus told her so.
For us today~it is God's Word that tells
us we have been forgiven.
I love what {Hebrews 8:12}
promises us,
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."
Such a beautiful promise from the Savior.
~*~*~
Verse {47} "Wherefore I say unto thee,
her sins, which were many, are forgiven;
for she loved much;
but to whom little is forgiven,
the same loveth little."
~*~*~
Not only are we forgiven,
but we should be going out and loving graciously on others
where we are surrounded with many hurting people.
"Those who have been forgiven much, love much."
People all around us are looking for grace and love.
Do we look at them and see their sin?
Or will we look upon them
seeing that they need love,
and that they need it from a gracious heart. ? 
~*~*~

Our Precious Heavenly Father.
May we not look upon others with pointed fingers,
but see our own sinful hearts before You,
 our Holy and Righteous God.
Cause us to love well, seasoned with grace
as You have called us to do.
Amen.
~Be Lovely~
Debbie




16 comments:

Sola Scriptura said...

This is so beautifully written! I'm overwhelmed when I think of the grace God has given to me... that He would save a sinful woman like me. Amazing! May I treat others with love, grace and forgiveness, just as my heavenly Father has loved me.

Billie Jo said...

Good Monday morning, my friend...
It looks so lovely here!!!!
I always receive a sense of peace when I visit.
Thank you for brightening my day with your lovely words. : )

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Amen x 20, Debbie!
And your blog's new look is so pretty.
I changed mine, too. Fall seems to call for it, you know?
Monday blessings, m & jb (of course!)

Ceil said...

Hi Debbie! I've just come back from blog-break, but it looks like your home here got a make-over? It looks like Fall here :)
Oh my, I do agree that I can always add chaos or hurt to another person, and to their life if I don't remember who I am. I am a daughter of the Lord, and this woman is my sister. Would I verbally dash my own sister? I pray that I can always lift someone up, not bring them down.
Blessings to you :)
Ceil

Stephanie said...

Much to think upon. . . Thank you for sharing the Word of God and encouraging the hearts of many.

Love you!

Marilyn Mathis said...

Such a beautiful message in this posting. So true that we are so often unable to see ourselves as God sees us or as others see us. Bless you for these thoughts.

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie, your post is beautiful and a message for all times. I hope and pray to be an encourager and not one who leaves hurt feelings to another.
Thank you for this special lesson my friend. God has truly gifted you with the ability to teach his word.
Hugs and Blessings

Vicky Hunt said...

Beautiful message Debbie. I think we are all guilty of pointing the finger and judging others at times. I know I have...but I do try not to and I try to put myself in other's shoes to try to understand their actions and why they do the things they do. We need to be praying forand encouraging folks and let God be the judge. I always enjoy your message...:) have a lovely evening.

Hugs, Vicky

Deborah Montgomery said...

Amen! How easy to see the sin in others when we need to be looking at ourselves. that will keep us plenty busy and on our knees, with no time to be looking at others. And yes, everyone needs kind words and love, especially those who seem the most unlovable. Thanks Debbie, and blessings to you.

Unknown said...

I love this one, it's so beautiful, & heart warming.
I love your blog you are always so inspiring.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to share your love & joy of The Lord ,🙏

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautifully written post on faith, love, forgiveness and grace, dear Debbie. Why do people find it so easy to find fault in others, but fail to look within themselves? Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and your prayers. xo

Valerie said...

What wonderful thoughts to begin my day!
Thank you so much for a very lovely post.
Blessings sweet friend,
Valerie

JES said...

Debbie, this was absolutely beautiful and inspiring! I am glad you had the opportunity to share it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! It certainly has blessed me!

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, How lovely! We do have such an amazing, loving Father! We are so blessed! And Your Blog looks so very pretty! I pray you have a wonderful fall season! Thanks for a very peaceful moment in my day!
Love, Roxy

JES said...

Good morning! Thank you for sharing last week with the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Your beautiful post has been featured this week! :) I really appreciated it :) Have a lovely week~~

http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html

Cranberry Morning said...

I love this, Debbie. There is a woman we've befriended and have had in our home, but she is afraid to come to church for fear of being judged by others there. It is so sad. If only I could help her understand that we are all sinners, only some of us have experienced the amazing Grace of God who welcomes all who call upon his name. We are all sinful and flawed, but loved and welcomed.

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