Thursday February 29th, 2024
« There is hope for the tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots won’t stop growing »
36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.
37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,
38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.”
41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.
46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
From the time of creation to date, sin or disobedience to God has been the greatest mistake man has ever made.
God frowns at all sins no matter how we choose to categorize them.
It is bad enough when sin is committed from time to time, even in ignorance.
However, it becomes even worse when sinfulness becomes a lifestyle.
The Bible refers to such people as stiff-necked, reprobates, unrepentant sinners, backsliders, or children of perdition.
Living in sin is so abominable to God that it carries the ultimate penalty.
That is why Romans 6:23GWT says
« The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord »
There is nothing glorious in living a sinful lifestyle.
The following Bible passages speak volumes about God’s hatred for sin. Psalm 104:35NKJV says
« May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more… »
« But evil people are doomed; what they have done to others will now be done to them. »
« Sinful people don’t respect God. So things won’t go well with them. Like a shadow, they won’t be around very long »
Finally, Hosea 4:7 NKJV also says,
« The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame »
God’s view of sin and His judgment against sinners is clearly revealed in the above Bible passages.
Hence, separation from God which is spiritual death, termination of life which is physical death, condemnation to eternity in hell which is the second death and other terrible consequences, await everyone living in sin in this world.
I am therefore appealing that you come to Jesus today and be converted, so that you may receive help to stop living a sinful lifestyle.
In today’s Bible reading, the woman seemed to know that coming to Jesus would transform her life positively.
She was unwavering in her pursuit of the Savior, and in return for her seeds of love, she reaped mercy and pardon.
Whosoever comes to Jesus shall not be disappointed.
Come to Jesus today!
Prayer focus – Father, please set me totally free from sin by Your grace and mercy, in Jesus’ name.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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