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Her sins were forgiven because
she loved much! Love of God is the first fruit of belief (Rev. 2:4) and
it is obvious that she loved Him. 1 Corinthians 16:22 tells us that one
who does not love Jesus Christ is accursed.
If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. (NASB) 1 Cor. 16:22 The Greek word that is translated as “love” comes from PHILEO.
It refers to a friendship love. Love that has emotion. Love that wants
to be with someone. Those who are Christians want to be with Jesus. That
is the heart of one who believes in Jesus. So Jesus responded, “Your
sins have been forgiven!” Jesus' use of a Greek perfect participle
for the word “forgiven,” means that her sins had been
forgiven and the result would continue. Her sins were forgiven and would
not be held against her ever again. She was forgiven once and for all
time.
The dinner guests were upset.
Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” (NASB) Luke 7:49 Who is this one who forgives sins? They were clueless about Jesus. They
did not realize that He was God - their Creator.
Conclusion. Then Jesus responded with these words,
And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (NASB) Luke 7:50 Jesus reveals in His words that this woman already believed
in Him. Jesus merely declared what was already true about her. She
had believed. Her reactions to Him proved that. Jesus’ words
are terrific. He said that her faith had “saved” her.
The Greek word that is translated as “saved” is a perfect
which means that her salvation was completed and would never be revoked.
She was a forgiven follower of Jesus Christ. She had peace with her
Creator.
In stark contrast, it is obvious that the religious leaders at this
dinner party did not believe Jesus was God. Otherwise they would
have accepted His statement of forgiveness. There are many today
who do not believe that Jesus can forgive sins either. Two thousand
years may have passed but men and woman are not any different. Spiritual
insight is not necessarily found among the educated, wealthy, and
political elite.
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (NASB) 1 Cor. 1:20-21 Spiritual
insight is found among those who believe and love God. It is found among
those who realize that they are spiritual beggars and mourn over their
sins.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NASB) Matt. 5:3 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (NASB) Matt. 5:4 Those who see themselves as sinners will believe and be forgiven. They
will be forgiven just as this woman - a prostitute - was forgiven all
because she believed.
Do you believe as this woman or are you like the religious leaders?
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