John 8:7-10 So
when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to
them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her
first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those
who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out
one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was
left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised
Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman,
where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
Continuing Pastor Kyle
message, he reminds us that Divine forgiveness does not cancel our human
consequences for their sin. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of
known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary
to God's commands or law. Poor decisions (as sins are called today) lead
to negative realities and this culture has moral absolutes by their Maker. Only
One can rightfully judge us and those guilty of sin must be punished. We’d like
to hear that we walk away “scot-free”, but that is not justice. God’s grace
lightens the load of sin of those who repent, but we should expect consequences
for our thoughts, actions or the lack thereof that are sinful in the eyes of
the Lord. But, all-knowing God doesn’t listen to the accusations of others
against us and stoops down for our defense in love that directs us to
repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 “The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Also, the grace we give will
inevitably become the grace we get. The Lord Jesus tells us in Matthew
7:1-2 “Judge not, that
you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be
judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” The
Greek word “krinō” is in the present and continuous tense, so actually means
“Do not being continually judging people (or don’t be a judgmental person); not
“do not judge at all”. That wouldn’t make sense and Jesus goes on to say in
verse 6, “Do not give what is
holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them
under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” You have to judge in order
to determine if someone is a dog or swine - (interpreted as godly teaching
should be given in accordance with the spiritual capacity of the listener). You
have to judge in order to determine that. The concept of reaping what you sow (Galatians
6:7-8) means that if we compassionately sit with people when they are in need, then
people will compassionately sit with you. Embrace godly ministry towards others
and point people to God’s moral standards and the love of God modeling and
speak the truth in love.
John 8:11 She
said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin
no more.”
But, “Go and sin no more” is
not so simple. Galatians 5:16-17 tells us that, this side of eternity, the sin
nature of the flesh is a lifelong struggle and will do it again. God can break
the first connection of chains of sin in a second, but it takes years to break
the others in the process of sanctification (growing into the likeness of
Christ). Long-standing sins need long-term solutions. Let’s be realistic: “Sin
is fun” in the moment; we wouldn’t do them if they were not, but every one of
them has negative consequences and lose because we all are caught in the act by
God. Those who won’t do the long-term work don’t see the long-term wins.
Step away from sin and step
towards God’s holy Word, Will and Way. Be a disciple, a student/follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ and a child of God/citizen of Heaven forgiven and saved by
grace through faith unto godliness, holiness and righteousness.
In Christ, Brian
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