One of the most beautiful demonstrations of love in the Bible came from a woman who washed Jesus’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She kissed and anointed His feet with ointment (Luke 7:37-38) because she thought she wasn’t worthy to kiss Him on His face or anoint His head.

Jesus said of this woman, “… Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven” (verses 47-48).

Do you realize that the measure of our love for God depends on how clearly we see our sins?

This incident happened in the presence of the Pharisees, and they were appalled. Some people feel so worthy before God. They are arrogant toward Him. They lack humility—and they lack love. They fail to treat the Father and Jesus Christ with love and respect.

This woman was so unworthy because she was such a rotten sinner. Because she was such a wretch of a human being and she saw herself the way she was, she wasn’t embarrassed to get down and wash His feet. She didn’t set herself up with a self-righteous standard. And Jesus Christ said, I forgive her all those sins. They are all wiped out because she loves me so much.

I think it’s obvious that this is a type of the Church of God. We need to ask God to help us see our spiritual sickness. We have many weaknesses and problems. We must never get into a self-righteous attitude where we talk back to God. Instead just go to God and say, Father, please help me to see my sins. I’m so thankful just to be here. I’ll kiss your feet. I don’t want to have a place at the top. I’m just so thankful to be here even sitting at your feet.

What a beautiful attitude of love toward God! But you can never have it if you don’t see your sins.

If Jesus Christ were here today, would you have this attitude? Or would you be embarrassed by this demonstration of love?

The only way you and I will ever receive God’s love is to go to God to see all our sins. Say, Oh God, you must change me. I must be changed! Please just let me sit at your feet. Let me be in your Sabbath service. I’ll take the lowliest job. Just let me wash your feet. That is a beautiful attitude of love we all need.