A woman, a well-known sinner, came to Jesus (Luke 7:36-50). She wetted his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed them, and put ointment on them. Jesus said that those who are forgiven much, love much. He told her, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Martin Luther said that forgiveness is the chief doctrine of Christianity. Without forgiveness, no one is saved. Forgiveness of sins was the chief purpose of Christ’s death on the cross: “Father, forgive them…It is finished.” Forgiveness means hope of salvation and eternal life. Why, then, is forgiveness so hard to accept?

1. Don’t need forgiveness. The old Frank Sinatra song says, “I did it my way…” People who take the throne of their lives have fools for kings. They cannot save themselves from death and the devil. They are separated by sin from the true king, God Almighty. We should fear and love the true God. He saves those who repent (turn back from sin) and sends the unrepentant to hell. Humble people hear the Word of God and are empowered by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ to admit their sins and repent. They accept and receive God’s forgiveness.

2. Too proud. If we admit that we are sinners, we admit that we need help and are at the mercy of God. We have tears of sorrow. It takes a humble heart to repent and accept forgiveness. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

3. Haven’t earned it. The world says, “If you want something, earn it.” People who recognize their need of forgiveness often want to do something to earn it. They make special offerings, do good deeds, say extra prayers, or suffer for a while. They want forgiveness mixed with the pride of having paid for it. However, the Bible says that Jesus Christ bought us back from our sinful condition not with gold or silver, but by His blood on the cross. We were dead in our sins and trespasses and unable to pay anything. Christ earned all of our forgiveness and He, not us, gets all of the credit. Therefore, admitting this, we owe Him all thanks and praise, love and life-long service.

4. Too big of a sin/unworthy. The devil deceives people into believing that some sins are just too big to be forgiven. But, there is no sin too big to be wiped clean by the blood of Christ. God has forgiven murders like King David, prostitutes like Rahab, and persecutors of the church like Saint Paul. He can forgive you, too. His righteousness covers your unworthiness and sinfulness. No one is worthy of being forgiven. Forgiveness is all about the grace and mercy and loving kindness of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus said to the woman (Luke 7:50), “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

5. Have sinned too many times. People confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, and later commit the same sin again. They start to give up hope. Saint Paul confessed similar troubles (Romans 7:21-25). The solution is to continue to ask Christ to forgive you. Sins that come back to haunt a person should be confessed to a pastor or trusted brother or sister in Christ. They can announce God’s forgiveness and support you in the faith through God’s Word and Sacraments, God’s people, and prayer.

6. Embarrassment. We don’t want to admit our sin because of the shame. Christ bore your shame on the cross – public shame, beating, agony, and death – so that you might have eternal life.

7. Can’t believe it. Even after we have confessed our sins and heard words of forgiveness announced, we may doubt our forgiveness. You should believe the pastor’s words of forgiveness and those of a brother or sister in Christ as if they came from Christ himself. Christ gave His church the power to forgive or not forgive sins. (John 20:22-23) If you come in faith wanting the forgiveness of your sins and are sorry for them, you have what Christ promises.

Hear the words of Christ: "Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Accept forgiveness in Jesus’ name. Amen