How to Grow in Love

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
- Luke 7:47 (KJV).





You may recall the story where Jesus was invited to have lunch with one of the Pharisees. While he was there a woman of the streets—a prostitute—heard that Jesus was there and came, fell at his feet, weeping, and wiped her tears from his feet with her hair, and
then anointed his feet with expensive perfume.


In our jargon, the religious Pharisee was horrified and in his heart judged Jesus for accepting this sinful woman's loving attention and humble attitude.


Jesus, knowing what was in the Pharisee's heart went on to explain that because this woman came to him pouring out her heart, her many sins were forgiven.
Then he made a very simple but profound statement:
"He who has been forgiven little loves little."


Or to put it another way: "He who has been forgiven much loves much."


This is so true, when in genuine humility we confess our sins, not only to God but to a trusted friend or two, and experience their love and acceptance, little by little we learn to forgive and love ourselves. So the more honest and open we are, the more we can be forgiven and loved. And the more we are forgiven and loved the more loving and forgiving we become.