Christ’s Prime Directive

April 1

(Luke 7:44-50 NIV) ““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--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." {48} Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." {49} The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" {50} Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Forgiveness of sin was one of Christ’s main objectives in coming to Earth. Certainly He modeled godly behavior for us, but the obstacle that stands between us and eternal life is our sin. If you are a Star Trek fan, atoning for our sin was Christ’s “Prime Directive”. The Pharisee was a “good person”, and wasn’t looking for a Savior. As a result, he and his friends missed the Lord. But the sinful woman knew her failings, and when she heard the Savior was in town, she came to show her love for the One who could forgive her. She who has been forgiven much, loves much. She who have been forgiven little, loves little. Our love for God is proportional to the mercy we have received. The sinner has no payment great enough for their sin. It is by grace we are saved. Until we realize we have been forgiven much, we will just be religious people, and religion has never saved a single soul. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day