This verse of the week is Luke 7:50 which states, "Then He said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.'" Just a few quick points about this verse . . .

First, It is important to understand the context of this verse. In this verse Jesus is speaking to a woman who has committed "many sins" (7:47). Other people in the community are very aware of her sinful behavior (7:39). Luke 7:36-50 tells the story of how she came into a house where Jesus was visiting and began to weep. She then proceeds to wash Jesus' feet with her tears and dry His feet with her hair. She then proceeds to kiss His feet and apply very expensive perfume to them as well. She is making her best effort to honor the Lord Jesus Christ! She does way more than anyone else in the house is doing for Jesus!

Second, it is important to understand that faith alone saves a person. The woman in the story was attempting to do everything she could to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. She washed his feet, dried his feet, kissed his feet, and soaked his feet in her own expensive perfume. She gave Him an awesome pedicure! Just consider the actions of this woman...

She was willing to give everything to Jesus!
She was holding nothing back!
She was "sold out" for Jesus!
She was doing her best!

However, the words of Jesus ("Your faith has saved you. Go in peace") seem to indicate that the woman lacked peace! She was trying her best to please the Lord (good deeds) but she lacked peace.

It seems like there are a lot of people like this woman in the world today. They know they are a sinner. They also know who Jesus is. And they are trying really hard to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. However, at the end of the day they still lack peace. That will always be the case until a person understands that faith alone saves a person! It does not matter how hard a person tries to do good. It does not matter what a person gives to the Lord. It does not matter how sincere a person is. It does not matter if someone is doing more for Jesus than anyone else in the house! None of that will give a person real peace!!! Until a person understand that he/she is saved when he/she just believes in Christ they will lack peace. The following verses may help...

Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

Ephesians 2:8-9, "By grace you are saved, through faith, and that not of yourself. It is a gift of God, not of works, so no man can boast."

If you have placed your faith in Christ to save your sinful soul, then you are saved. Period.


Third, the result of understanding that faith alone saves you is peace. The woman is able to walk out of the house with peace. She does not have to worry about her sin problem anymore. She does not have to weep anymore. She does not have to doubt anymore. She does not have to lay awake in the bed at night anymore. She has 100% assurance that her sins are forgiven and that she has been saved by faith alone. She can now live the rest of her life with unbelievable peace!

The same offer stands for you today! All you have to do is see yourself as a sinner. Understand and believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and was resurrected on the 3rd day. Then, place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. You do not have to do anything else. You do not have to labor, work, or build up good deeds. You do not have to hope that you are "saved." Faith alone, in Christ alone, saves guilty sinners. Then you can have peace based on the words of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I hope you have placed your faith in Christ. I hope you live each day with great peace in your heart. If not I hope you turn to Christ today. Place your faith in Him. That's all you have to do!

Pastor Ben.