Grace Should Not Be Just an Abstract Idea

When we read about Jesus forgiving the “woman who lived a sinful life” (that’s code for irreligious, obviously immoral, and likely sexually promiscuous), applaud her boldness in coming to Jesus, we give our approval to Jesus’ gracious acceptance, forgiveness, and defense of her. We are more than willing to accept Jesus’ grace ourselves. The problem comes when we realize the point of Luke 7:36-50 is that Jesus expects me to live in such a way as that woman would come to me knowing she would find that same kindness, grace, and defense. If we knew how broken and messed up we are and the mountains of grace needed for ourselves, we would not be so stingy with it. Just sayin….