“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.” Luke 7:47 NLT
Lord Jesus, it’s as simple and profound, daily and real as this: because you’ve forgiven ALL our sins, we should love you with ever-growing awe, perpetual thanks, and indefatigable delight. And a second response to our forgiveness is just as important: we should become the most humble, gentle, and compassionate people in our families, workplace, and neighborhoods. Lord may it be; may it be so increasingly.
So renew and deepen my love for you Jesus, for you alone are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. Dazzle my heart with your beauty; fill my gaze with your wonder; free my hands with your mercy.
And by the power of your Spirit, keep me constantly aware of how much you’ve forgiven me. Don’t let me minimize the wonder of my forgiveness by thinking my sins are less numerous, egregious, or hurtful than anybody else’s. Don’t let me ever get used to being forgiven by you.
Convict me quickly when I indulge a critical, irritable spirit towards others. Help me respond mercifully and grace-fully to a wide range of scenarios and personalities: Unintentional oversights and very intentional slights; harsh words spoken and healing words left unspoken; being ignored by people I love, or target practice for people I’ll never meet.
Jesus, in my anger, keep me from sinning; in my pain, keep me from blaming; and in my disappointment, keep me from sulking. Only your love is better than life; only your love will never let go of us; only your love was, is and ever will be enough. So very Amen I pray, in your forgiving and tender name.
