The Sweet Fragrance of Forgiveness

One of the biggest struggles many of us face is insecurity.

Because we are human, we make mistakes…and sometimes the choices
we make, haunt us for years.

Women are especially vulnerable to feeling insecure about their looks,
weight, education, and poor choices they’ve made in dating relationships.

God left us wonderful stories in his word, so we could find hope and feel
the unconditional love of our heavenly Father.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about an unnamed woman who
had a sinful past in Luke 7.

Perhaps she is unnamed, so each one of us could relate to her personally.

Jesus had accepted an invitation to eat at the house of a Pharisee named Simon.

Suddenly, a woman who evidently led a sinful lifestyle, knelt down at the feet of Jesus
and began anointing his feet with fragrant oil.

Simon was very upset at this partycrasher, and thought to himself…If Jesus was a prophet,
he would know this was a sinful woman who was touching him.

Because Jesus is all knowing, he said Simon, I have something to say to you.

Simon was all ears and eager to hear insights from the mouth of Jesus.

Jesus said, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii,
and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.
Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman
and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me
no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them
with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to
kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this
woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins,
which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven,
the same loves little.”

Then He said to the woman… “Your sins are forgiven.”

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Simon knew some horrible things about this woman and thought he was better than she was.

He judged her, instead of trying to help her overcome her past.

Jesus told this story to help us realize that we all are equal in his eyes.

Our sins separate us from God, but if we kneel at the feet of Jesus, and pour out
our heart, it’s like the fragrant oil, the woman anointed his feet with.

He had compassion on the woman; and as the tears ran down her face, he knelt to lift
her up, out of the pit of depression and shame.

Jesus assured her that her sins were forgiven, and refused to let Simon or anyone who
was sitting at the table, judge her any more.

Perhaps you too have a sinful past that has haunted you for years.

You may have committed adultery with so many men you can’t even remember all their names.

You feel like an outcast, dirty, and unloved.

Beloved, Jesus sent me to tell you how special you are to him.

There is nothing you have done that cannot be forgiven and washed away with the blood he shed
for you on the cross at Calvary.

Lay your shame down at his feet and let him turn the trash of the past, into a beautiful treasure.

Don’t allow satan or anyone to make you feel dirty or despised ever again.

Many women foolishly think they need to share every detail of their past, with girlfriends,
a fiancé’s, or husband.

This is not necessary and very often too much information for a human being to process,
without having flashbacks or being judgmental.

If Jesus forgives and forgets, let’s forgive ourselves and keep the past buried where it belongs.

He alone can make us whole, give us peace, and beauty for ashes.

The Bible says…Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us
diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ
among those are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

When we read God’s word, and learn the truth about how much he loves us… it’s like smelling
the beautiful aroma of fragrant perfume.

We then, as God’s sons and daughters, should share that fragrant love with others, so they will be lifted
from the pit of shame, and no longer wallow in self loathing or depression any longer.

Whatever you’re facing, know that Jesus cares, and he alone can repair every broken place in your heart.

Father, how grateful we are for your amazing stories of love in the Bible.

May this message bring hope, healing, and the fragrant aroma of your love to all who are hurting.

Help us to forget the past and freely accept your mercy and peace.
Lift us from the pit of depression and anoint us with the fragrant oil of your grace.
Restore joy to our hearts and make us whole emotionally and physically.
We are created in your image, beautiful and blessed. Your word says, if
anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things are passed away, and
all things are new!

In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Jeremiah 30:17
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD;
because they called thee an Outcast.

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau