Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
07/25/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 308: Alabaster Jar, Pt.2
Jesus told a parable about 2 people with large debts, and their response when both were forgiven:
Luke 7:41-46 “A certain moneylender had 2 debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.”
And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”
The Pharisee lacked spiritual discernment, which comes only from the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor.2:14 But even the Pharisee realized that a person with the largest debt who received the greatest forgiveness would be most appreciative and thankful.
Neglecting to provide water for a guest to wash their feet was an insult. In fact, the Pharisee offered Jesus none of the customary formalities (a kiss of greeting, oil to anoint the head). The Pharisee offered nothing to Jesus.
The Pharisee did not recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior because the Pharisee did not consider himself a sinner who needed a Savior. The woman did.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
