I love the account of the “woman of the world” who entered the house of a Pharisee to wash Jesus’ feet and pour expensive perfume on him. Though the general consensus in the room was that if Jesus had known who this lady was He wouldn’t have let her near Him, the truth is that Christ welcomed her brokenness. At the Lord’s acceptance of this “sinner,” Jesus turned to Simon, who was hosting the meal, and asked, “If forgiven a debt, who would be the most grateful, the one who was forgiven 50 denarii or the one who was forgiven 500?” The answer was obvious, and Simon responded by acknowledging that the one who had been forgiven the greatest amount owed the greatest debt of gratitude. After he answered, Christ affirmed his response, noted the woman’s extravagance toward Him, and then made the powerful statement, “But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 

Friend, self-righteousness rarely leads to a life poured out before the Lord, but a broken soul mended is cause to love Him with abandon! Only by having endured a measure of rejection or judgment can you understand what it means to be completely known, entirely accepted, and perfectly loved. No matter what you’ve done or how far you’ve strayed, Jesus is waiting to welcome you back to His presence; He will never shame you. I encourage you to sit at His feet often and enjoy the fullness of your freedom and acceptance in Him.