Forgiven Much

Luke 7:47
“He who is forgiven little, loves little.”

I have been thinking a lot lately about the ten commandments. Specifically, I have been thinking about the use of the law in evangelism. This is not new, but it is new to me. I have always made a point to highlight the concept of sin with anyone I witnessed to. This is a must. In fact, evangelism without any mention of sin is not biblical evangelism.

But, recently I have been more intentional in using the ten commandments to confront people with their specific sins. This is biblical and serves a great purpose.

If people are unaware that they have broken the law and deserve the full punishment for their iniquity they will be unlikely to see the need for a Savior.

Luke 7:47 takes place as Jesus is eating dinner at a self-righteous Pharisees house. While eating, a known sinful women comes in and anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears and expensive perfume. The Pharisee objects because Jesus allowed a sinner to touch him.

At this moment Jesus turns to Simon Peter to make a point using an illustration. There are two men who owe money. One owes fifty bucks(denarii) the other owes 500. The owner of the money cancels the debt of each man. Who would be more grateful? Obviously the one who owed more. The one with the greater debt.

The Pharisee didn’t see himself as a sinner, and therefore saw no need for a Savior. The woman understood the depth of her iniquity and responded with gratitude and sacrificial love.

The Pharisee was just as much a sinner as the woman, he just refused to see it. Therefore, he did not respond to Christ in the same way the woman did.

There are many people who come to Jesus as an insurance policy or because they want a better life. They love God very little. It is different when someone comes to Jesus because they are confronted by the magnitude of their lawlessness. They are painfully aware that they have broken God’s law and stand in the path of facing the full judgment for their sin. The run to a Savior and stay with that Savior who rescues them from the depth of their iniquity. They love much!

I am beginning to see the need to confront people with the ten commandments to make it clear the reality and severity of sin. Hopefully, this will produce believers who love Jesus much!