Message from Scripture: 3/4/2021

Today our message from Scripture comes from John 8:10-11; “Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’”

It is interesting how deceived so many have become about the nature of Christ and His stand on sin. It is true that Jesus did associate with sinners, which drew the ire of the religious leaders of His time. However, Jesus did so to bring them out of their sin, not to justify their sin. His remark to the woman taken in adultery reveals His motives; “go, and from now on sin no more.”

Jesus came to offer forgiveness to those who would repent and seek to do the will of God. As Peter said of Jesus’ life, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). Scripture is the word of God (Rom. 10:17), and reveals right from wrong, the way that leads from condemnation to eternal life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The grace of God in Christ does not justify living a sinful lifestyle, but calls one to know and live in his righteousness. “What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Rom. 6:1-2).

Any attempt to appeal to Jesus for approval of sin and living sinfully is misguided and wrong. We need to discern what Jesus taught about sin and about the righteousness of God. We need to stand with Jesus on sin, and promote what is right and good, as He did and still does. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:34-36). God bless.

Robert