No Condemnation

"Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:11)

One of our worst fears is realized here in this story. Caught in the very act of sin, the woman is hauled by the authorities before the public and then before God in the person of Jesus. Faced with certain death at the hands of the religious authorities, what more can she expect from the ultimate authority of the Law? But it ain't so! Jesus first gets rid of her accusers and then refuses to condemn. Fear of public shaming, a painful death, and eternal punishment - take your pick of the worst fears, but none happen! She is in a way given a new life, reborn by Christ Himself. Not a doom of pain forever, but an impossible command: go and sin no more.

We have no hope in ourselves of obeying that command. By faith, we know that Jesus would not send the woman away without sending His Holy Spirit, knowing also that He would pay for her sin by His blood, and having planned for the grace of God. 'Go and sin no more' is a provision where we see an impossibility. A new life given where condemnation sat before. The woman is not told to go back to her lover and continue in the same old life though. Where she faced the mob of accusers, now she faces her Lord and Savior. What will she do with this new life?

Some stories in God's word just bear repeating. Have a great June in Christ!

Bucky