Yet, I am just as much a sinner as these types of girls.
Truth is, even though I don't drink every weekend- I still do once a month. Just because I don't have sex or "hook-up" with men, I was in a bad relationship that wasn't Christ-centered and became victimized to choose between "going farther" or break up. Bless-fully, I had God's strength to choose to end the mess of a relationship I was in before it was too late.
But, just think- many girls probably face the very same situation I was in. Where they fear losing their "soul mate" if they don't have sex. The only difference between me and them is I got out before it was too late.
With all of these factors, I can be considered a Pharisee at times. Full of pride and consider myself as the ultimate follower, and all these labels that I know are not true!
The truth is- I am just as a sinner as everyone else! As Christians, it doesn't matter if we "sin less" than others! Because, we are all sinners.
The inspiration for this post comes from Luke 7: 36-50, the passage I was reading this morning.
Basically what happened is a Pharisee, Simon, invites Jesus into him home for dinner and a woman who is labeled as a sinner comes as well. It does not say directly what her sin was, but she was probably a prostitute.
While Simon was conversing with his friends and such, the sinner woman does something that the Pharisee should have done.
37 A
woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was
eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar
of perfume.
38 As
she stood behind him at his feet weeping,
she began to wet his feet
with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them and
poured perfume on them."
Seeing Jesus allowing this, Simon the Pharisee questions it!
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
How many times do we question if someone is to truly be saved and touched by Jesus?
- A woman has an abortion, we question what kind of woman she is and assume God can never be with her.
- We see a teenage, unmarried become pregnant and think that she is moral less- that she can never be pure.
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender.
One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty.
42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back,
so he forgave the debts of both.
Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
The funny thing is, those who have do have a bigger debt of sin, they tend to love more because they know the price of their forgiveness!
Even though we may sin less, does this mean we are to love less?
I'll go ahead and answer with- Absolutely Not!
We must love like we are the biggest sinners in the world, love like we have the biggest debt possible!
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? I came into your house.
You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman,
from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47 Therefore,
I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has
shown.
But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Does this make you feel a little crummy on the inside? I know it make me feel crummy.
Just to think, that instead of giving a chance to show the love of Jesus to people- I judge them. When, if we show the love of Jesus to them- these people may develop the most greatest possible passion for Christ!
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jesus can truly save anyone! Jesus can provide freedom from the bondage of sin to anyone!
So, why must we judge, and compare ourselves as better and more deserving?
I challenge you to think in this mindset, to remember that you were once lost- maybe not as lost, but still lost.
Show compassion and help those who you see in need, instead of just casting them away as some sort of undeserving outcast.
Because, we know in all truth that we are just as undeserving.
Think to yourself, if Jesus entered your house to have dinner and you were in 30 AD Israel. Would you wash Jesus feet, and do the customary cleansing of guests?
If you cannot picture yourself cleansing Jesus feet, you friend may be a Pharisee.
Don't feel bad though if you do, because I couldn't either.
However, by recognizing this- by thinking we may love Jesus with all our hearts. We identify that it is not too late to love Jesus to a level where we love Jesus with all of our being, souls, and mind!
Not just saying that we love Jesus, but truly loving Him!
Let's not be like Pharisees who love little, but love like the deepest of sinners.
But, most importantly- love like Jesus who loves the most and didn't sin.
Have a blessed day,
<3 KM
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