Passage: Luke 7:22-50
In reading about the woman who was the un-invited guest at the home of this Pharisee I couldn’t help but think about the people I know at Celebrate Recovery. CR as we call it is a ministry that allows people to fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the “8 Recovery Principles.” This experience allows us to “be changed.” By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress through the program we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power – Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.
The people I know at CR are authentic and very real. They don’t wear plastic faces or pretend to be a good Christian. They are willing to admit their faults and become free from sin, they’ve tried the plastic face and it’s ruined their lives. I’ve always wondered what makes them different from other Christians I know. After reading this chapter about this woman I now know why my friends at CR are different. They have been forgiven MUCH.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” ~ Luke 7
People ask my husband and I why we are so ‘open’ and honest and willing to share so much about our lives. Both my husband and I have attended CR and are free from addictions and cross addictions. When we see people alone, hurting and feeling isolated due to a hurt or addiction we know how they feel and can’t turn the other way. When people are alone or even feel alone that’s when Satan can work best. We don’t want to see people suffer like we did so we step in. After reading this chapter though I realize that it’s more than our heart strings that drives us and convicts us to help others by being so open about ourselves. We love much because we have been forgiven MUCH. That’s not to say that those who have not had to wrestle with addictions or hang ups don’t love much but I believe Jesus says it best…
42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. ~ Luke 7
The other end of this is that perhaps some of us have much to still ask forgiveness for. Maybe people are hesitate to challenge others because they will be convicted of their own un-confessed sin. When we challenge others we challenge ourselves and God convicts us too. Maybe we’re not all in a place to help others because we feel as though challenging others is also going to challenge us.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~Romans 12
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves. ~ Galatians 6
in the clay,
Chantal Dube