We are all subject to the natural tendency to rationalize our decisions or behaviors. While we may judge clearly or even too harshly when we consider others, our natural tendency is to “give ourselves the benefit of the doubt” when judging our own actions. Perhaps another way of saying it… we judge others by actions and judge ourselves by intentions.
Let us take caution, however. Fully accepting and “owning” our mistakes and failures and bringing them before the Lord asking forgiveness will actually bring us into closer relationship with Him. He who is forgiven much, loves much. Let us not rationalize away the things for which we need to be forgiven and for which we need to repent. Let us come openly and humbly before the Lord and submit ourselves to Him.
36Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”
Parable of Two Debtors
40And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41“A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42“When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44Turning 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 has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45“You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46“You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
I can look back in my own life and see a time, long ago, when I first really transitioned from the attitude of “I am doing pretty well, better than most” to one of “I have sinned and cannot reconcile my actions as acceptable according God’s word”. Truly it was transformational in my relationship with the Lord. It was then that I experienced mercy and grace and forgiveness. As long as I convinced myself I was “good enough”, I did not need to rely on God but could get along fine by myself. Truth be known, I was fooling myself the whole way. Of course I was a sinner in need of a savior! We all are! As I came to know I needed forgiveness my love for Him grew dramatically as I then appreciated His sacrifice for my sin.
Take care to accept accountability for and repent from your sins. Bring them before the Lord with humble and repentant heart. Submit to Him as Lord and ask forgiveness. Let your future actions reflect your love for Him through your obedience to Him. Enjoy who our Savior is and how He loves us.
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