The words of Jesus to the woman caught in the act of adultery are staggering: ?I do not condemn you.? Jesus, the ultimate judge of the universe refused to condemn this woman although she was clearly a sinner. But this was exactly what His mission was all about.
Jesus died on the cross to save sinners. This forgiveness is not a cover up for sin or an excuse for continuing in it. The next words of Jesus were, ?Go, and sin no more.? But the forgiveness came first. We can only live for God fully and freely when we know we have been fully and freely forgiven
Key Thought
Faith gives you access to the unconditional forgiveness of God. And this faith also leads you to respond in love and gratitude to the Father by turning away from sin in your life. First, you hear Jesus say, ?I don?t condemn you.? And then, come the words, ?Go, and sin no more.?
Prayer
Lord, I thank you that as I look to You for forgiveness You do not condemn me. You love me just as I am, but too much to leave me that way. Please help me to turn away from everything that offends You.
Discipleship Steps
Once you understand that you don?t have to earn forgiveness or work to gain God?s acceptance, you can really begin to deal with sin in your life. You have a new motivation for living ? the Father?s love. Begin to look at the sin in your life from this perspective. Respond to God?s love by turning away from the things that you know displease Him but do so out of a genuine expression of your love for Him.
Read: John 8:2-11