vs47-50, “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. Then He said to her, Your sins are forgiven. And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? Then He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Forgiveness, assurance, and love to Christ go hand in hand.
First, salvation is for sinners (vs36-39). The goal of salvation is saving the sinner from his sins, and getting love and glory to God because of it. The Pharisee disdained Him wrongfully, thinking, “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” (Luke 8:39). We are wrong to think that salvation is for anyone other than sinners, people who can't help themselves, failures, and people worthy of wrath. Sin won't keep you away from Christ any more than sickness keeps you away from a doctor or hunger keeps you away from free food.
The sinner is forgiven and cleansed when he comes to Christ, freely.
Secondly, forgiveness produces love, so the Master forgives us of our sins, so that we can love Him (vs40-47).
He doesn't produce love by the whip of the law, but by the compassion of grace. He illustrated, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred (days wages), and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? Simon answered and said, I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, You have rightly judged” (vs41-43). He takes the man that ought to be in hell, and He takes his place beneath the wrath, atoning for the sins. He takes the man who can't obey God, who can't see His glory, and He unfolds the forgiveness in such a way that the man is changed, being made a new creation (2 Cor 5:17-18). He forgives us continually to stir up love in us, for those who are highly forgiven and know it are always loving and show it. The intimate connection between forgiveness and love can't be denied. It doesn't mean there is no reproof and correction, but the FORGIVENESS rules the day.
Forgive each other and experience the best of life. Don't hold grudges unnecessarily, but as much as possible, live in peace with your fellow man, understanding he is wicked like you, and like you, he'll perish eternally apart from electing love.
One thing that makes forgiveness produce love is the fact that we did nothing for it. We didn't deserve it, earn it, or even seek after Him. It was given us freely in the covenant, when God promised to forgive us. When we were not even born, Christ had already paid the debt of sin. Then, when others heard no glory in Christ, He came to us powerfully, unfolded our redemption, and He gave us new hearts to respond in love to the most amazing thing in the galaxy, forgiveness by God through Christ in the power of the Spirit.
Forgiveness produces every good work and everything that you want to see. Forgive people if you want the help of God in dealing with them. Be like God, not Satan.
Thirdly, we are forgiven and assured of it, so go in peace (vs48-50). Do not carry the weight or guilt of your sin any longer. He says to us, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (vs50). The fact that you love Him is the proof you are forgiven, and like Peter, we say, “Lord, you know that I love you”. When we ponder what He has done for us and embrace His assurance, then we go in peace as commanded; it is right.
The past is atoned and the future is handled in reconciliation. The God who rules everything is on your side now to help you do His will. He has reconciled you, made you loving, and He is with you now. He is not a God to bless men partly and say, “You are forgiven, but stay worried about it, fearful, and fretful”. He knows rejoicing in Christ strengthens us, that assurance breeds exploits. Spurgeon, on the assurance of believers quotes from Joshua 1, “Only be you strong and very courageous”, and says, “From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice.” And, He gives this assurance for our good, as we do His will.
This woman was loving Christ BECAUSE of forgiveness, and she got MORE assurance, so that she could go in peace and love Christ more. The tears may be gone, and she may see how clearly His work is for her, but the love will not abate by the clearness of the vision; it will grow by the command, “Go in peace”. This isn't, “Go in sin” or “Go in rebellion” or “Go and live as you please”, but this is “Go in the peace of forgiveness that produces love for Me. Go and do My will”.
Lastly, the gospel must be clearly preached so sinners can be comforted, saved, and enabled to walk assuredly forgiven by God.
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