Qualities of a Certain Woman: Forgiveness
(Teaching 1 — Certain Women Fellowship)
Before a woman ever becomes one who follows Jesus closely…
before she walks in identity, purpose, and restoration…
she must first pass through the narrow, sacred doorway of forgiveness.
We often focus on the moment in Luke 7 when the unnamed woman falls at Jesus’ feet —
weeping, washing, anointing, loving.
But that moment did not begin in the Pharisee’s house.
It began in her heart, long before she entered the room.
Because Scripture teaches a principle:
“Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37
You cannot receive what you are unwilling to give.
🌿 Forgiveness Was the Prerequisite
Before she ever approached Jesus,
before she broke open her alabaster box,
before she heard the words, “Your sins are forgiven,”
she had to make a decision deep within her soul:
to forgive those who had wounded her.
Because only a heart free from bitterness has the capacity to:
- love deeply
- repent fully
- approach boldly
- surrender completely
Unforgiveness is a chain.
She could not have walked into that house carrying it.
This means:
💛 She forgave those who misjudged her.
💛 She forgave those who misused her.
💛 She forgave those who labeled her.
💛 She forgave the ones who broke her.
💛 She forgave herself.
Forgiveness was the soil that made repentance possible.
🌿 Forgiveness Gives Boldness
We often ask:
“How did she have the courage to walk into a room full of Pharisees?”
Because forgiveness had already done its work inside her.
Unforgiveness keeps us hiding in shame.
Forgiveness releases:
- boldness
- clarity
- spiritual sensitivity
- courage to draw near
- freedom to seek mercy
When a woman forgives, she is no longer controlled by the opinions of others.
She becomes a woman who can walk past:
- judgmental eyes
- condemning whispers
- religious barriers
- her own past
and fall at the feet of Jesus with nothing in her hands but devotion.
🌿 Forgiveness Makes Repentance Possible
You cannot repent while still holding resentment.
Repentance requires a heart that is fully turned toward God —
not partially divided between Him and offense.
The woman in Luke 7 had forgiven,
and so her heart was open,
soft,
pliable,
ready for full surrender.
Her tears were not tears of anger or accusation.
They were the tears of a woman whose heart had been cleared, emptied, and prepared.
🌿 Forgiveness Is What Makes a Woman “Certain”
The Certain Women of Luke 8 were:
- restored
- healed
- delivered
- women who loved much
- women who followed closely
But all of this began with forgiveness.
Forgiveness reconstructs a woman’s identity.
It reconnects her to God.
It frees her from the weight of her past.
It opens her heart to receive and give love.
It transforms her into a vessel the Lord can use.
A Certain Woman is a woman who forgives —
and who has been forgiven.
🌸 Reflection for the Reader
Beloved sister,
is the Lord inviting you to forgive someone today?
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks restoration.
Without it, you remain outside the house.
With it, you can walk boldly into the presence of the Savior.
🌿 Closing Prayer
Father,
soften my heart.
Show me the people I need to forgive.
Help me release every debt, every wound, every memory that keeps me bound.
Free me from bitterness and teach me to love much,
because I have been forgiven much.
Make me a Certain Woman — healed, restored, and bold in Your presence.
Amen.
