Never forget that Jesus forgives sinful people, including you and me. So if you are part of a church that welcomes sinners of all kinds, and this approach makes you uncomfortable, remember the story of Jesus who came to eat at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. A woman who lived a sinful life came and anointed Jesus with perfume and her tears. Simon muttered to himself about Jesus perhaps not being the man He said He was because He was accepting the kindnesses of a sinner. Jesus challenges Simon and reminds him that “‘her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved (Jesus) very much. But he (Simon) who has been forgiven little loves little.’ Then Jesus said to the woman who was a sinner, ‘Your sins are forgiven’” Luke 7: 36-50.
So the next time you find yourself muttering about sinners who are in church with you, remember that you too are a sinner. Stop muttering and ask God to show you how to love everyone and ask God to forgive you of all of your many sins. And when you pray today please anoint and bless Jesus in your heart for all of His love and mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” Proverbs 10:12 .
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” Ephesians 1:7.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14.
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” Luke 17:3-4.
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” Matthew 6:12.
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