And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Heb. 11:6 NAU)
Do you have a strong conviction of sin? If you are in Christ, do you have a strong assurance of forgiveness?
The faith described in the above passage is the key to both.
This faith is demonstrated in the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus with her tears and perfume and wiped them with her hair. In Luke’s account, she is compared to a man who did not have her faith nor her love.
She believed God is. She, therefore, knew God had expectations of her, and she had fallen woefully short of those expectations. She also knew she would be held accountable to God and would answer to Him for all she had done.
She believed God would reward those who diligently sought Him. She understood Jesus and His authority over sin. She believed Him when He said she was forgiven. She sought forgiveness on God’s terms, not her own. She listened to Jesus and believed Him.
Her love was an expression of her devotion to Jesus for the great gift of forgiveness He had given to her.
She could never have such great love and gratitude without comprehending the greatness of her sin and the completeness of her forgiveness in Christ.
God is. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Do you truly believe both?