John 8:10-11 9/19/2017*16*

Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you”, Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more”.

“Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone” is one of the most quoted verses in the bible…far more than the following verses where Jesus addresses the women caught in adultery. 

Christ did not condone her actions.  He did not minimize her sin or excuse it.  His words to her were direct and to the point…. “stop sinning.”

Christ lovingly removed her condemnation, but did not defend her actions. 

He didn’t name it something else and try to make it acceptable, or place the blame on others... He simply said go and change.  

That is the rub, isn’t it?  When you meet God, He demands transformation.

His Spirit alters your heart, redeems your soul, and gives you the ability to change your actions.  He doesn’t excuse sin, He doesn’t release you from responsibility, and He doesn’t lower the bar.

Never mistake forgiveness for the minimization of sin.  Never misinterpret His love for overlooking.  The fact that sin cannot be overlooked, is the reason for the cross, and that should make it all the more revolting to us.

Sin is not a side note in the story of Salvation, it made it necessary.  Not dealing with what scripture defines as sin, guts the gospel of its purpose and power.

Run from sin… not in order to be saved, but because you are.

 “If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me
 if I... daily consorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brother's heart?…Sin murdered Christ; will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it? "
- Charles Spurgeon