An awareness of your sin is essential for you to experience forgiveness and show God’s compassion.
An awareness of your sin is essential
Now one of the Pharisees, Simon, was requesting Jesus to dine. He entered the house, and reclined at table. There was a woman who was a sinner. When she learned he was reclining at table at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with her hair and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Luke 7:36-38
A lack of awareness of your sin will cause you to judge others
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.” Luke 7:39
An awareness of your sin would allow you to love more
Jesus said, “Simon, I have something to say.” He replied, “Say it Teacher.” “A certain money-lender had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him more?” Simon answered, “I supposed the one whom he forgave more.” He said, “You have judged correctly.” Luke 7:40-43
A lack of awareness of your sin will cause you to feel superior
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.” Luke 7:44-47
An awareness of your sin allows you to trust Christ and be forgiven
He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those at table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” Christ said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50
WHAT?
We are responsible for our debt to God
We have incurred different degrees of debt – Luke 7:41
We are incapable of repaying our debt – Luke 7:42
Sin created our moral debt – Luke 7:48
SO WHAT?
Only God can forgive sins – Luke 7:49
Only the forgiver can assume the debt
Only faith in Christ cancels our debt
NOW WHAT?
Freedom from fear – Luke 7:50