Grace that saves

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And, behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclined at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

"A certain moneylendor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."  Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she was wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven-for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Luke 7:36-47

This dear woman's faith and great love saved her. She gave Christ all her tears and all her wealth. Despite the beautiful vulnerability in which she sought her Savior, the Pharisees could not see past what she had done. Jesus saw the repentance of her broken heart. What a beautiful gift Jesus has given us. He has lavishly extended His perfect grace.

Our own brokenness has to come first before we can truly love another well. This entire blog has vividly expressed what the Lord has done for our family, for us as individuals, how it is shaking the dynamics of extended family, and beyond. Most of all, He has moved and worked in the dark corners of our hearts. The areas I like to call the "untouchables" and the "unspeakables." Great growth comes from submitting ourselves to the realm of what only God can accomplish. That means allowing ourselves to completely fall apart, allowing our foundations to be shaken, accepting His grace, and learning to extend that grace to ourselves. What a journey! For God to love us to such a depth that he removes all superfluous things, rearranges our hearts, and opens our eyes wider to start over.

Umm...life much??

Recognizing our own daily brokenness, how can we extend grace to someone seeking oneness with Jesus? I know I could find every excuse in the book not to make myself available, as my plate is full. Or is it? The way things have been piling up, I could be very wrong. What is my true place in His purpose?

We know the depths in which God has met us. We know how much we needed the support of Christ's good stewards, especially in the falling apart stage. We know that His grace should directly translate to our interactions with others because this is how He has loved us and where He has met us.

How can we love deeper? How can we love without motive? How can we stand in the gap and intercede for another?

Practice with me.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace... 1 Peter 4:8-10

Copyright 2015 ->Renee Sunberg