Theme of the Week: Am I Beyond Forgiveness?
Bible Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Scripture Reading: Psalm 86:5
All this week we’ve been answering the question: Am I beyond forgiveness?
We have all felt the extreme pangs of guilt and felt the crushing weight of sin, but thankfully the Bible has a lot to say about God and the extent of His forgiveness.
1. The Lie
“The worse your sin is, the less eligible you are for redemption.” There is no line of demarcation declaring us too filthy and too wretched for Jesus.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Just as He embraced broken people then, He’ll embrace people who sin now. So if you’re convinced that a holy God will never find you lovable, continue with me on a journey to encounter Jesus.
2. Too Much Sin
Did you notice what isn’t written in Luke 12:10? It doesn’t say that anyone who has killed 6 million people will not be forgiven. Nor does it say that child molesters won’t be forgiven.
The idea that the worse your sin, the less eligible you are for redemption is a lie. It cannot stand in light of Jesus.
If you’ve bought into that lie for yourself or for others, I have some really great news for you.
3. Imaginary Lines
Let me ask you, what might you have done if this were your dinner party: You invited the pastor over, and a prostitute is now kissing his feet—would you speak up?
Jesus’ host says nothing, but he does think something, “If [Jesus] were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is — that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).
Ironically, Jesus reads his mind: “Simon, I have something to tell you…” (v. 40).
Jesus is about to speak into Simon’s thoughts toward this woman. The days of ostracizing those considered too sinful needed to end.
4. Forgiven Debt
When Simon tried to define this woman by her sin, Jesus flipped it around and defined her by His forgiveness.
“Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown” (Luke 7:47). She’s a raving fan.
The lie tells us that the worse our sin, the less eligible we are for redemption. But Jesus tells us that the worse our sin, the more grateful we are for redemption—the more grateful we are for Him.
5. The Reason For Jesus
Lord, am I the woman who has come to You in faith and washed You in gratitude? Am I the Pharisee struggling to understand how sinful people can experience You so intimately? Or am I the disciples, silenced by the awkwardness of Your unconditional acceptance of sinners? Thank You that Your Spirit indwells me and invites me into Your way of doing things. Lead me to Your feet, Lord, and use me as an invitation for others to join me there. Amen.
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