God’s goodness leads to godliness

Do you remember the woman who took an alabaster box of fragrant oil and anointed Jesus with it? The Bible says, “Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, ‘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 7:39 NKJV). Man-made religion condemned this woman because of her past, but Jesus cleansed her and made her whole. “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” (v. 47 NKJV). Jesus knew what this woman had done, but He also knew what she could become when His grace touched her life. The more you realize that you have been forgiven much – actually, of all your sins – the more you will love the Lord. God’s forgiveness does not lead to a sinful lifestyle; it leads to a life of glorifying the Lord Jesus. “The goodness of God leads you to repentance.” The word repentance means to turn around and do the opposite. Condemnation does not produce righteous living, but the knowledge of God’s grace and goodness toward us does. Simon the Pharisee thought that his acceptance by God was based on his performance; hence he became self-righteous. But Jesus set him straight: “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” When you realize how much and how often God has forgiven you, you fall in love with Him and desire to please Him in all you do.