Forgiven and Saved

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

FORGIVEN AND SAVED

Luke 7:48-50

48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." 

NIV

Although we dealt with the whole of the narrative it would be beneficial for us to focus on this last portion and the two phrases Jesus spoke directly to this woman who had washed his feet with her tear wiping them with her hair, kissing his feet and then anointing him with expensive perfume. The first thing he told her was that her sins were forgiven. Jesus did not go into detail of how she needed to first admit she was a sinner, repent of her sins, then ask him to forgive her, and ask him to come into her heart. He merely forgave her. Now that being said, perhaps her lavish display of love toward him already show him her heart and that she knew of his divine nature and her need of his favor. This is but supposition, as all we have is the facts of her actions and the words that her sins are forgiven. These are the sweetest words in all the scripture. “Your sins are forgiven” of course the next words he spoke to her are just as sweet. But let us remember well that fact that our sins are forgiven if we have that same kind of heart toward Jesus as she had. If would only make sense that those who refuse to acknowledge his divine nature would not have the forgiveness of their sins. His words are not a blanket statement covering every person’s sins just because. This woman heart for Jesus was expressed in her actions toward him. This is how he knew she loved him, and this is how he knows we love him. It is by our actions toward him which bring us those words that our sins are forgiven. Now that does not mean we have to work for our salvation for that simply is not true,  but it is the action of our heart which matters when we turn to him expressing our belief in him. This is why Jesus told her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace”. It was not the fact of her actually washing his feet or anointing him with oil that saved her, it was her faith in him, in his divine nature, in who he was. Those blessed words that our sins are forgiven and that our faith has saved us. How sweet it is. Where would we be if we had no forgiveness and we were not saved? What would are fate be? It is almost unimaginable, unthinkable, unbearable to consider, but thanks be to God we do not have to, for because we turned our heart to Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are saved.