How Much Have You Been Forgiven?

Last night, one of the Bible stories that I read to Naomi and Rachel was the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with perfume using her hair. Simon, the owner of the home where this occurred, is disappointed that Jesus is letting such a sinful person carry out such behavior.

Jesus’ reply made me think of the messages of my recent posts. I know some may be growing tired of hearing about hell, judgment, wrath, sin, the Fall, etc. It certainly isn’t uplifting material. Or is it?

Jesus’ reply was, “Those who have been forgiven much, love much.”

There is worry today among church leadership about decline in church attendance, giving, etc. Statistics show that most denominations are declining in almost every statistical item that can be quantified. This may or may not be a bad thing. (I think outward statistical progress doesn’t necessarily reflect inward progress.) I do, however, think that in general, there is one factor of enormous importance that is indeed affecting a decline among “church-going Christians.” Because we don’t realize how much we’ve been forgiven, we don’t seem to love God very much.

Even if you disregard numerical statistics, take a look around the average church today. Where is the passion for Jesus? Do you see it in the eyes of the congregation as they worship? Do you see it in their insatiable hunger for pouring through God’s Word? Do you see it in a renewed fervor to abandon their life of comfort and live as Christ lived? Do you see it in their tireless efforts to share salvation with friends, co-workers, neighbors?

In efforts to revive such passion, many churches resort to programs and motivational efforts–most of which, when they are unmasked, appear little more than gimmicks.

“Let’s change the style of music to something more contemporary and up-beat!”

“Let’s start up small groups!”

“Let’s run a stewardship campaign!”

“Let’s focus sermons more on life-application!”

“Let’s offer coffee, a casual atmosphere, and savvy media!”

I”m not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves. In fact, I like many of these things. What I fear, however, is that churches are trying to make these things like silver bullets–they are determined to be what makes a church thrive. But what is the power of God that transforms us, renews us, delivers us, frees us, lifts us, emboldens us, corrects us, heals us, feeds us, energizes us, comforts us, pushes us, compels us, enlightens us, saves us? It is the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God, revealing to us our sinful condition, our desperate need of God, and God’s gracious awesome provision for us. It is Jesus, our only hope.

For those who recognize the truth of their sinful condition, who recognize as Wesley stated that we are damned sinners fit for hell, to know the grace of Jesus and that we have been redeemed is mind-boggling. We are overflowing with gratefulness to the Lord, because we recognize how far we have fallen and how mighty God’s salvation is through Jesus Christ. We could care less about the style of music in church. We could care less how “hip” our church claims to be. When we realize more fully what Jesus has done for us, his love compels us to live for him.

Churches today refrain from talking about the judgment of God, for fear that such a message is based out of fear rather than out of love. To be sure, many people who speak of God’s judgment twist it into that kind of light. But why should we let them do that? Why should we refrain from preaching of God’s great mercy and grace that delivers us from such a depraved, lost, helpless, and damning state? Mercy and grace mean very little unless you understand how merciful and gracious God’s salvation really is. Those who have been forgiven much, love much.