Luke 7:36-8:3 In response to the those who questioned His willingness to allow a woman who was a sinner to wash His feet, Jesus told a parable: “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” (Luke 7:41-43, KJV).
Over the years I have heard many testimonies of people who have been delivered from drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, alcoholism, etc. These people who have had such dramatic conversions from worldliness to holiness have such a deep love for God. There is a man in our church who was delivered out of the homosexual lifestyle and healed of AIDS. He has a deep love for Jesus. Another man and his wife in our church had been into everything—drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage, etc. We have the opportunity to pray with this man often at our little prayer groups in the church, and he just weeps when he prays. He is so grateful to God for what He has done in his life. He is so expressive in his love for Jesus.
He and his wife are so in love with Jesus because they have been forgiven much. I also know a man who was lifted off of the streets of Atlanta, delivered from cocaine and alcoholism, taught to read and who now is a master plumber. Every time I see him I think, Look what the Lord has done! It is marvelous in our eyes!! He also has a deep love for Jesus.
If we really thought about it, we could all say we have been forgiven much. Even though our testimonies may not be as dramatic as the ones shared above, we all were sinners, and Christ forgave us. We all were prisoners, and Jesus set us free. We all were bruised in our souls, and Jesus set us at liberty and healed our broken hearts. Jesus has forgiven us all of every sin. Remember, there are no degrees of sin with God. The major sin that leads to all other sins is unbelief. We have all been guilty of this. Jesus loves us much, He forgives us much, and our response is a grateful heart that loves Him much.
Lord, help me never take for granted where I have come from and where I am going because You have forgiven me and canceled the debt I owed. I love You, Jesus.
READ: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-14; Proverbs 12:1
