Walk Forgiven
Luke 7:36-50 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”
And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”
Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
1 John 1:9-2:2 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
by Study-Leader @ 10:29 AM
1 Comments:
This week's study reminds us that we have been entirely forgiven for all sins, past present and future. The Bible says Jesus is the "propitiation" for our sins. (1 John 2:2) That means, "full and complete satisfaction [of God's wrath]. The penalty was completely taken out on Jesus Himself. That's why Romans 8:1 says there is "no more condemnation" for those who are in Christ Jesus. That "great gulf" the Four Spiritual Laws speaks of, which separates man from God, has been bridged for us Christ. From now on, nothing in all creation, according to Romans 8:39 can separate us from Him.
Hebrews 10:12 says Jesus made "one sacrifice for sins forever." Having once received Him, all your sins, past present and future, (they were ALL future at the time of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, remember), have been forgiven. As far as sin's penalty, (death-Romans 3:23), it's marked "paid in full." In fact, Hebrews 10:14 says that "by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified." God's ability to know us from eternity past shows this: he says (Romans 11:29) "The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable."
When we sin (according to 1 John 1:10 if we say we haven't sinned, we make him out to be a liar and it shows His word is not truly in us.), we have an Advocate, Jesus! THE one-and-only righteous representative of mankind. Absolute Holiness and righteousness represents us before God. When we feel condemned, useless and disappointing before God we need to confess and repent, agreeing with God about our sin...but we also need to remember that, regardless of our feelings, "even if we don't feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and knows everything. (1 John 3:20)
So God invites us to "walk in the light, as He is in the light," confessing immediately when we sin, and by faith, enjoying the assurance of His cleansing. "The Just shall live by faith, says Habakkuk 2:4, the spark of the Reformation. We are saved by faith, but often seem to forget that we also walk by faith, not by sight. "Therefore, as you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him." (Colossians 2:6)
Like the repentant woman in the story, His grace is greater than all our sin! His mercies are new every morning, "great is thy faithfulness."(Lamentations 3:23) Is it acceptable to have the intention to keep on sinning, that His grace may abound, then? By no means. (Romans 6:1-2) It's His desire that we be continually renewed & realigned, submitted to Him, filled by His Spirit, resisting the devil, fleeing temptations, becoming salt and light, agents of reconciliation and God's very ambassadors to this world which needs Him so badly. Act it out this week! Remember your story of forgiveness and tell it to someone else. And remember to be forgiving to others--it may give you an opportunity!
Remember also that we'd love to hear your thoughts! Please submit your own comments below!
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