Section 8
of forgiveness. Concerning this, we need to pay attention to the word "therefore" in verse 42. This word proves that love comes after forgiveness instead of preceding it.
What, then, is the cause of the forgiveness of sins? From verse 50 we see that the cause is faith. It was the woman's faith that saved her. Her sins were forgiven not because of her love but be cause of her faith. Therefore, faith comes before forgiveness, and love follows faith.
LOVE COMING OUT OF FAITH
It is very important for us to see that forgive ness comes before love. We should not think that our love is the cause of the forgiveness of our sins. On the contrary, love is the issue, the out come, of our faith. When we believe in the Lord, our faith becomes the cause of the Lord's forgive ness of our sins. Then as a result of having our sins forgiven, we begin to love the Lord. Hence, love comes out of faith.
LOVE ISSUING IN PEACE
Love issues in peace. First we believe in the Lord Jesus, having faith in Him. Then we are for given of all our sins, and this brings in love for the Lord. As we love Him, this love issues in peace.