John 8:10-12 (NKJV) 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Leading up to the verses above, a woman had been caught in the act of adultery and dragged into the streets. A crowd had gathered and they were about to stone her to death.
At some point during this ruckus, Jesus happened upon the scene. He spoke some words that caused the woman’s accusers to drop their stones and walk away, one by one.
It was at this point that He asked the woman where her accusers were and if any of them had ended up condemning her.
As the woman answered Jesus, she realized that not a single one of them had condemned her, once Jesus had shown them their own sinfulness.
Now… this was the perfect opportunity for Jesus to go up one side of this woman and down the other about the terrible act that she had been caught in. So what did He do? Did he judge her, which He had every right to do?
No. He showed her mercy, compassion and LOVE! He held her attention and gained her trust by not condemning her, and instead, showed her what God’s love is. And by doing so, He taught her more than any judgmental look or harsh words could ever have done.
This is a lesson that the church, the body of Christ, needs to learn and get deep into our spirits. Yes… sin is sin and it destroys its victims. But it is love that makes people aware of their sinfulness and causes them to repent. Not judgmental glances, harsh words or scathing discourses on the consequences of sin.
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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