Are you the Pharisee or Forgiven Woman?

Those of us who know the story of Jesus know that the Pharisees are seen as the ‘bad guys’. But the more I look at all of us who judge others (let’s be honest, most of us do it), especially we who are in church who criticise and are ready to point out others faults….we are no better than the Pharisees. Pharisees judged based on laws that they believe everyone must live by and showed no grace. I believe that we are no one to judge others….God will judge and we are called to love. Yes, we need to rebuke in love and with the best intention for the person. No malice. The bible says "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matt 7:3).

One of my favourite women of God is Beth Moore. She is beautiful, funny and very passionate about Jesus. She speaks from her passion for God and His Word. In one of her sermons, she talks about the story of the sinful woman who brought perfume when she entered the house of the Pharisee after she found out Jesus was eating there (Luke 7:37-48). The sinful woman began to wet Jesus feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself (note that it wasn't out loud...it was a thought), "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." The Pharisee judged both Jesus and the woman, who expressed her love for Jesus. What made both the Pharisee and the Forgiven Woman (formerly the sinful woman) different from each other?

Pharisee is characterised by ‘what he does not do out of love for God’.

Forgiven woman is characterised by ‘what she does for her love for God’.

The important question is, ‘are we the Pharisee or Forgiven Woman?’ Do you do the right thing in response to your love for God and with faith and obedience that His Word is true? Or are you a Pharisee following rules, ready to judge anyone who doesn’t do things the way you want them to or doesn’t believe what you do? We all sin….no sin is bigger than another….therefore don’t be so ever ready to judge someone else. You have a log in your own eye (me included!).