John 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them.3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Some people can't let go of anything!! They feel totally justified to condemn and live a life of no forgiveness. I have heard Christians say these words "I can never forgive them!" CHRISTIANS!! We are "people of forgiveness" and we can't forgive?
In the above scripture we can see who brought the lady to Jesus. Religious people. Hmm. Interesting. The part Jesus reminded them about was that they are sinners too. The pointing one finger at you and then realizing there are three fingers pointing back at me really applies here. Who am I to condemn? Who am I to not forgive. Or, here is the real statement. Who am I to JUDGE? Jesus brings this point home to all of us in Matthew 7: 1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
When picking a standard for judgment be sure and pick God's standard, because our standard is subjective to how we feel that day. Whereas Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever!! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
As in the example of the Pharisees bringing the adulterous woman to Jesus, they had not been with Jesus, so they did not know what true forgiveness is and their response is understandable. But for those who are "born again" and are now new creatures with the Holly Spirit guiding them, there is no excuse for trying to condemn someone. Romans 8:1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Love comes to us in many forms and fashions, but true love is best seen in Jesus and how He imparts that love to us IF we receive it. I find that the people who are the harshest in their judgments are generally people who are not in the Word and are very shallow in their faith. That is the only explanation I have for it besides them not actually being born again. For those who know your are born again, shame on you to be judgmental. For those who really aren't born again, but just church attending "christians". "bless your heart."
The Pilgrimage Continues...
David Warren
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