Living Testimony: Embracing Love and Forgiveness Through Grace (06/26/'24) -Message

Living Testimony: Embracing Love and Forgiveness Through Grace Dear Beloved in Christ, I hope this message finds you enveloped in the peace and love of our Lord. Today, I am compelled to share a reflection that vividly illustrates the boundless nature of God's grace and the profound impact of genuine love. In the Gospel, we encounter a woman who, despite being weighed down by her many sins, finds the courage to express her repentance in a deeply personal and sacrificial way. She approaches Jesus, not with words, but with an act of humble service, anointing His feet with precious perfume mixed with her tears. This woman, often remembered for her past, should instead be celebrated for her demonstration of love and forgiveness. Her actions remind us that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20). She teaches us that our own expressions of love and forgiveness can and should be as lavish as the grace we have received. Jesus Himself declared that her story would be told wherever the Gospel is preached—not as a tale of sin, but as a testament to redemption and the transformative power of love. Let us take to heart the lesson of her story: to love deeply, as deeply as we have been forgiven. May we too be inspired to live out our forgiveness in acts of love, knowing that such expressions resonate far beyond our immediate surroundings, becoming a beacon of hope and grace to all around us. In Christ's love and service, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 26, 2024)