Love is blind! At least, that is what the romantics and poets say. There is some truth to the idea that loving others involves a willingness to overlook their inadequacies, flaws, and even failures. However, ignoring obvious issues in our lives, or the lives of others can also be unwise.

What if seeing ourselves and others more accurately and clearly could lead to greater love? When love is blind it is also distorted and dishonest, eventually resulting in denial or distrust.

Most people fall into one of two camps. One group fails to see the sin issues in their lives while quickly seeing sin in others. The other group lives with shame and guilt, believing if people really knew their junk they would never be loved or accepted.

In Luke 7:36-50, we find Jesus in a difficult position. While having a meal at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a sinful woman enters the room, washing and anointing Jesus's feet. Simon's skepticism about Jesus only grows since Jesus appears unable to SEE that an obviously sinful woman is touching his feet.

Jesus seems unconcerned about the woman's reputation and responds with a story about two debtors. Then asks a question, that gets to the heart of the matter, "Simon, 'Do you see this woman?"

The woman, clearly aware of the greatness of her sin, had faith that Jesus was a greater Savior. What Simon saw as inappropriate, Jesus knew was actually an extravagant act of love from a sinner whose great debt had been forgiven and released.

This message explores the most effective way to grow in our love for God.