Free from Condemnation

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.   In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.   Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

~John 8:1-11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

I think in life we are often either the one holding the stone or the one receiving the stoning.  No matter which role you are playing currently, I urge you to find a spot in God’s grace.  Curl up in the warmth of His love and relish in the fact that God has brought you freedom from your sin.  He wants you to enjoy a stone free life.  May you drop the stones you carry and reflect on the love that has been lavished so sweetly on you!

Dear Father God, I know that I have been a stone thrower at times with my judgmental attitude.  Please forgive me and help me to ever walk in Your ways.  Please help me to capture each thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5-6).  Lord, I pray that I will remember that no stone can harm me when I walk in the power of Your Word.  May I never forget the price You paid to give me eternal life.  May I walk free from condemnation and rest in the comfort of Your love always!

Free From Condemnation,