JOHN 8:10-11A

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.”

TO PONDER

Condemnation. Just the word in itself hovers like a dark cloud over our lives, making us want to run for cover. We've all felt it...the disapproving look, the turning of a back, the snide remark, the labels placed on us. Many are masters of self-condemnation - constantly berating themselves for not measuring up, for not being enough, for...(you complete the sentence). And maybe more than once you've thought that if people really knew you, then maybe they would look at you with even greater condemnation.

Condemnation, whether from others or self holds us back, imprisons us, binds us, stops us from moving forward. That's what is so beautiful about this passage. When we are willing, not to run away, but stand before Jesus, acknowledging our failings, our limitations, our bondage, our sin, we hear a word of grace, not condemnation. Jesus doesn't say, "Sin no more and I won't condemn you." He doesn't say, "Clean up your act, change your way of living and then I will accept you." He says, 'Neither do I condemn you, go and from now on sin no more.' Jesus offers a word of forgiveness that alone has power to change the direction of our lives. It's a word that unshackles that which holds us back, and enables us to go and live a grace-filled life. Paul tells us, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). As the well known song says, "I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken. I am accepted. You were condemned. I'm alive and well, your Spirit lives with me, because you died and rose again.' May that song be on your heart and your lips today that you may move into today with a clean slate, and a forgiven heart knowing that Christ loves you and accepts you. And may the Spirit give you power to live in freedom and speak those same words of grace and freedom and acceptance into the lives you encounter today that are weighed down by condemnation.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I know my faults and my sin is ever before me. Thank you for taking the condemnation I deserved on yourself on the cross, that I might live and move forward in the grace of your forgiveness. Amen.

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