We read John 8 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I am certain that you have heard the account of the woman "caught in adultery" being brought before Jesus. I have something for you to think about the next time you hear or read this account. John 8:2-6:
2 Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and was teaching them 3 When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him 4 Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery 5 Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence] 6 This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.
Of course the very first question any thinking person asks is "where is the man, who had to have also been 'caught in adultery'"? Remember than any REAL "war on women" has been instigated by satan because God said THIS to him in the garden in Genesis 3:15:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. KJV
So, the man was left and the woman was brought for "judgment" . What did Jesus do? Verses 7-8:
7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. 8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.
How many stones were thrown at her by these 'self-righteous' men? Not one! Verse 9:
9 They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court.
They all, each individual person, KNEW their own sin! We ALL sin (make selfish decisions to do something our own way, rather than God's way). That's why we needed, or in some cases, still need, a Savior! {If you are that position, please look further down this blog to November 5 to see how to receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior!} Once we are born again, WHEN we sin, we go to 1 John 1:9 to receive forgiveness and be set free from any and all sin and unrighteousness that we have allowed into our lives! How did Jesus respond to this woman? Verses 10-11:
10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? 11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.
He did NOT condemn her, but neither did He EVER say that now it is okay to do this, or any other sin that the Bible defines. Loving and forgiving does NOT change sin! Adultery is STILL wrong in the eyes of God, but the born again believer can receive forgiveness. Lying, stealing, cheating, murdering (including the unborn) is STILL wrong in the eyes of God, but forgiveness is available for the born again believer! You KNOW where we could go with this, so I will let YOU meditate on that! And no, I am not condoning sin or making it easy for people to sin. There will always be a consequence for continuing in sin. Jesus said this to a man that He had healed in John 5:14:
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. KJV
What YOU allow into YOUR life will determine the quality of life that you have! No one controls your decisions but YOU! Make wise decisions that line up with God's Word, which IS His will, and have the wonderful results that HE desires for you to have! John 10:10:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP
AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Back To Life":
Shalom in Him!
