How Much Do I Need?

We are to discuss the adulterous woman in John 8 in our small group study Sunday night. Jesus clearly offered love and grace before he expected obedience from this woman he loved. He does the same for us, doesn't he? We so often get it backwards, trying to earn his grace by our obedience. That is a prescription for failure, guilt, pride, and so many other things we struggle with.

But here is what hit me this morning as I was reading this wonderful story of love....how much love and grace did I require before I gave Him my heart? For this woman, this one incident was evidently enough. Some scholars believe she is the woman that washes Jesus's feet in Luke 7....the one Jesus said of "I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven.....for she loved much." When God captures your heart, what other choice do have but to love Him and show your love by being obedient? I believe He will keep offering love and grace till he captures our hearts, no matter how long it takes. And the amazing thing is that it doesn't stop there, it only continues to grow. Kinda like with your children, huh?

Imagine that!