I am who God says I amPart 9

God says that I am …

Forgiven

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Eph 1:7

“Forgive”: to grant relief from payment.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, (we have been granted relief from payment of our) sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Eph 1:7

• I owed a debt I could not pay.

• Jesus paid the debt He did not owe.

The 747 principle:

“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

“The Jesus tells Simon a story: A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts…

Who do you suppose loved him more after that? Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt. That’s right, Jesus said.” Luke 7:41-43

• Have I been forgiven a lot or a little?

• How to tell if you have been forgiven (a lot) or a little:

1. The test of Attitude

“Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.” V. 44

• Simon invited Jesus into his home and then ignored him.

• The woman does everything that Simon didn’t.

The woman offered Christ her everything.

Water = Life

2. The test of Affection

“You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.” V. 45

Kiss = Love

• The secret to loving is living loved.

“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NASB

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:1-2

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.” 1 John 4:11

3. The test of Actions

“You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.” V. 46

Oil = treasure

“I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18c

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

1 Timothy 1:15