“I committed a lot (of crimes) – kidnap, robbery, killing people … many things, intimidation. And I was sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison,” said Pastor Lu as he took an interview with a local media (reported from BBC News Service) about his life-changing experience. Pastor Lu used to be a gangster, good-for-nothing, but now is turned into a preacher in a middle-size church where he proclaims the good news and is helping former prisoners return to normal life.

One day Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house to have a meal. A woman came into the room out of the blue knelling down at Jesus’ feet, weeping, kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. On seeing this, the Pharisee thought to himself, “If Jesus were a prophet, he would know who is touching him, a woman who is a sinner” (Luke 7:39). To answer his thoughts, Jesus told a story to Simon the Pharisee.

“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (v. 41-42)

Simon replied to Jesus’ question, “The man who owed the large debt will love the moneylender more.” Then Jesus said, “You are right. . . .  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (v. 43-47).

Like Pastor Lu, his many sins have been forgiven because he has shown much love to the Lord. The more we are conscious of our sins, the more We love the Lord.