Where Are Your Accusers?

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

The Bible teaches us that adultery is sin. And sin has its consequences. In the Old Testament times those caught in this sin were to be stoned to death (Leviticus 20:10). Fast toward now to the New Testament and we read of this story where the religious rulers of the day caught a woman in her sin and were ready to do God's work and stone her. But they also wanted to use this opportunity to expose Jesus as a fraud, because they knew His love message would conflict with this woman. Jesus said that those without sin in their own lives should be the first to cast the stone (John 8:7). And into one message, resulting in the religous leaders of the day walking off under their won conviction.

But now comes the meeting with Jesus and the woman in sin. He first asked her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." (John 8:10-11) And then some of the most healing words in all the Bible..."Neither do I condemn you."

Many live under the condemnation and judgment of accusers. Family, friends, church leaders, and others are many times quick to accuse us of mistakes and past failures. Many will hold our past lifestyled and sin over our heads and judge and, if possible, condemn us. The good news in this story is that we read of Jesus giving a second chance to a woman already judged and who almost gave her life for it. The words spoken to her are the same for you and me today, "Neither do I condemn you." This releases us from the burden of sin and allows us to start over again today. True, Jesus said to not continue in the sin. But notice this, it was the "goodness of God" that kept her from falling back into the old ways, not the judgment of God. God's love releases you from condemnation and will keep you walking with Him. Today is a new day and a new opportunity. Don't walk under condemnation but in God's love and goodness.

From the issue of Jubilee Journey, Living in Faith Everyday. 175 Nortech Parkway, San Jose CA 95134. www.jubilee.org