(John 8:7 - 12) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:7 – 12)
The Religious Pharisees of Jesus’ day wanted to stone sinners. But Jesus loved this woman and wanted to win her to forgiveness and salvation. May God help we as Christians and the Church get back to loving people into the Kingdom rather than trying to “get them to act” the way we think they should act. Striving to force Christian convictions on people who might not even claim to be believers, when we as church members often fail miserably to “act right” is the height of hypocrisy. People who fall in love with Jesus will want to behave in a way that pleases Him. And, it will come from their hearts.
Jim Burns, Sr. Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Van Wert, OH. This is something to think about.
