There’s a lot more I could have said, and I wanted to say. Worship flows out of understanding ourselves in relation to who God is, and realizing how he sees us: as forgiven. And by the way, completely unrelated, Robbie Seay Band released a new CD, you should support them and buy it here, it’s amazing!
Here you go, if you haven’t read the eConnect already, or if you care to read:
Staff Corner
Meridith Johnson, Worship Director
Forgiven Much
As we have journeyed through Galatians, it seems the word “legalism” and “legalistic” has been used quite a number of times, but part of understanding our legalistic ways, also comes from understanding the depth of our sin and our depravity. Part of this process involves naming sin for exactly what it is: brokenness and separation from the heart of God.
In Luke 7, there is a familiar story of Jesus eating with the Pharisees, and during the meal, a “certain immoral woman” came with an expensive jar of perfume, and began to anoint and wash his feet. Listen to this account of Luke, verse 38 says, “Then she knelt behind him at his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.” The natural response of the Pharisees was something like this, “If he knew who this woman was, and the kinds of sin she has committed, how could he let this woman touch him!?”
There are many lessons in this particular account of Christ, but what Jesus says at the end of this section is something to be taken to heart, “I tell you, her sins- and they are many- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” One commentary states, “The woman was not forgiven because of her love; rather, she loved because she was forgiven. Her faith brought her salvation…” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 224).
When it comes to legalism in our hearts, how often do we sit back with arms folded and disapproving looks on our faces when someone begins to admit their sin? This week, Greg will share with us about good behavior, our motives behind our good behavior and what it really reveals about our hearts. We have been forgiven of much, so therefore, we should love much. Our love comes from gratitude in our hearts from the simple act of forgiveness.
I love this story, from Luke 7, because each of us can find ourselves in one or both of the parties spoken about, the sinful woman, and the arrogant Pharisee. How can we seek to identify ourselves as sinners, who have been forgiven, and to love much? What are our motives behind our actions? Is it true “love” for Christ? Or simply out of legalistic expectations?
Take a few moments to read through this poetic song, of the story from Luke 7, when our response toward Christ and others is motivated by gratitude and love, our worship becomes authentic, and our love for others is even more genuine.
From glass alabaster she poured out the depths of her soul ,
O foot of Christ would you wait if her harlotries known?
Falls a tear to darken the dirt of humblest offerings to forgive the hurt.
She is strong enough to stand in your love I can hear her say:
I am weak, I am poor, I am broken Lord, but I’m yours […]
O foot of Christ would you wait if her harlotries known?
Falls a tear to darken the dirt of humblest offerings to forgive the hurt.
She is strong enough to stand in your love I can hear her say:
I am weak, I am poor, I am broken Lord, but I’m yours […]
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday,
Meridith
somehow beautiful 