A moneylender loaned money to two people. The first needed $1000. Maybe it was for a house payment. A month of groceries. Necessities for life. The second needed $50. Maybe he needed some new shoes or jeans. Maybe to help with a few groceries. A few dollars to help him get by until the next paycheck.

As the weeks passed, both of these individuals fell deeper into a financial hole. When it came time to collect the debt, the moneylender began to realize neither of these individuals were going to be able to pay him back. Instead of having “Big John” pay them a visit and demand the money, he forgave them. The debt was erased. Taken care of. They owed him nothing. He forgave their debt.

“Now which of them will love him more?”

The obvious answer is the one who was forgiven more money. The one forgiven $1000 felt more love and devotion than the one who had only owed $50. The one forgiven more will love more.

As Jesus told this parable, He was dining in the house of Simon, a Pharisee. Simon didn’t have much to forgive (or at least he thought he didn’t). He prayed the right prayers. He attended the right synagogue. He gave his money, time, and very life to God. He was doing pretty good. His response to Jesus’ teaching was one of pride and distain. In the same house, listening to the same story, was a women from the streets. A woman whose only definition is: sinner. Her response to Jesus was one of humility and love.

Beth Moore says, “The woman’s deep love did not flow from deep sin. It flowed from deep forgiveness….God’s mercy does not make sin tolerable; it makes sin forgivable.”

Jesus tells the woman: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Jesus forgave her, not because of her faith (or her love), but her faith was a result of being forgiven. We will be faithful and love our Savior because HE IS FAITHFUL to FORGIVE.

We will be faithful and love our Savior because HE IS FAITHFUL to FORGIVE.

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I imagine this woman kneeling at the feet of Jesus weeping. She wept because she knew. She knew how great her sin had become. She knew the depths of despair. She knew. And as she sat at the Savior’s feet, asking forgiveness, maybe she wept because she couldn’t forgive herself.

Do you have a sin you’ve never confessed? Maybe you have confessed it. Over and over again. The confession and tears are mixed with guilt and shame. You know God forgives you, but you hold on to it. You hold on to hurt and guilt because you just can’t forgive yourself.

If you are holding on to a sin or guilt from your past, you must learn to let it go. The forgiven are faithful. To live a life of faith, we have to live as forgiven people. If you are holding on to guilt, you are not having faith. Are you not trusting and believing God can really forgive you?

You may say: I don’t know how to let it go? I feel like I do, but pick it up again. Here is what God is whispering to you today: One day at a time. One hour at a time. One minute at a time. Jesus’ response to this women is His response to you: “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48)

{God is speaking}
If his {David’s} sons forsake My instruction
and do not live by My ordinances,
if they dishonor My statutes
and do not keep My commands,
then I will call their rebellion
to account with the rod,
their sin with blows.
But I will not withdraw
My faithful love from him
or betray My faithfulness.
I will not violate My covenant
or change what My lips have said.
Psalm 89:30-34

No matter how many times we mess up, He will remain faithful. His love will remain faithful. His mercy will remain faithful. His covenant with us will remain faithful. We can rest in God’s unconditional faithfulness. Our God is faithful to forgive. The more we are forgiven, the more we want to be faithful. Live as a true follower of Christ. Live forgiven.