On my way home from a day of shopping  as I was pulling out of the parking lot I saw two people whom I felt compassion for. I started looking at others and thought about how God sees them. In my heart, I know He loves us all unconditionally.  Insecurity, anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness, or a self-righteousness attitude can cause us to see each other in in the wrong light.  I decided to read what God’s Word says in the Bible. Read Luke 7:35-48.  Luke 7:39-40 says when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is that she is a sinner.” Jesus told Simon this parable in Luke 7:41-43 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 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?”  Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly, Jesus said.” Luke 7:47 says. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” So what is Jesus telling us here? Read it over. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Jesus helps Simon the Pharisee to see love and compassion for others. Simon had a self-righteous attitude. He judged and condemned the woman who lived a sinful life.  Jesus looked at the woman with love and compassion. He saw her heart, the hardship of her life; he saw she felt unloved, judged, and unforgiven. Jesus also knew that forgiving her would set her free. Matthew 18:21-22 says. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. So, when you see someone on the street, at work, in church, wherever you go look at him or her the way Jesus looked at him or her, with love, compassion, and forgiveness. After all it was hatred, judgement, self-righteousness, jealousy, and every sin you can think of that nailed Jesus to the cross. He came here to seek and save the lost to teach us to love one another. 1 Peter 4:8 says. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

#Jesus #Love #Judgement # #compassion #Forgiveness

Written by, Janet Emley church secretary and God’s Word, the Bible