November 1 Saintly Love

Luke 7:44-50 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
 
IN the New Testament language, a saint is one who has confessed his sins before the Lord and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior. A saint is one set apart into Jesus’ church for God’s work on earth and to enter eternal life.
   On this All Saints’ Day, we see in this Scripture an early saint. The woman grieved her past sins and loved the One who could wash her sins away. God had stirred in her a great faith to know this redeeming truth. Humbly she sat at Jesus’ feet, submitting to his truth.
   This is saintly living and saintly love. It is an example of living into Christ’s church. Is this your response to Jesus? Are you a saint in Jesus’ church? Have you grieved and repented of your sins? Does your faith confess, “Jesus is my Lord.” How then, do you respond to your faith? Is it, “That’s nice.” or is it, “I love you Jesus! I weep with joy that you set me apart to a saintly life in you forever.”
   Yes, our response should reverently be a deep sadness for our sins and a high joyful love for our Lord. The more we understand the depth of our sins, the higher we will lift our love to our Savior, who has first loved us into salvation.
   Loving Jesus much, weep over your sins. Remember how human sin caused the nails to pierce Jesus’ hands. Loving Jesus much, rejoice this All Saints’ Day and forevermore that he has said to you, “Your sins are forgiven.”
    
Prayer: I love you, Jesus. In joy, I worship you, my Lord and Savior. Amen.