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Have you ever been caught in sin? Someone walked in on you when you were breaking the law? Someone calling your attention to lies you spoke or gossip you spread that would hurt someone’s feelings? Or maybe your own conscience has been smitten because the thoughts you were thinking were dark, dirty, filled with doubt, prejudices or judgment? The Bible says “we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Ro 3.23.
When the religious leaders caught the woman in the act of adultery, Jn 8.3-4, they challenged Jesus, standing on their knowledge of the Law. What they did not realize was that Jesus had come to “give life and give it more abundantly,’ Jn 10.10. They had no idea who they were challenging. They had no concept of the power of God’s love. They were so focused on the letter of the law that there was no room for love. Remember, “God IS love,” 1 Jn 4.8.
Without love, there is no grace or mercy and that is the very reason Jesus came to earth! To destroy the power of sin and open the way for mercy and grace to be released to mankind through God’s love. In a nutshell, Grace is God giving us something we do not deserve, in an eternal light—that is everlasting life. Mercy is God withholding from us what we deserve, and what we deserve is eternal death. God is love, and Jesus came to release it to the fullest!
In this accusatory and potentially destructive scene in Jerusalem, we see religious law and judgment in stark contrast to God’s love, grace and mercy. No…Jesus does not overlook the woman’s sin, He explicitly said, “go and sin no more.” Jn 8.11. But what a contrast. The religious leaders were ready to stone her to death. Jesus was ready to give her Life!
Why would anyone ever pick religion over a RELATIONSHIP with a God of Love, Mercy and Grace? A God who gives what we do not deserve and withholds the judgment we do deserve!
What is there in your RELATIONSHIP with the Lord that prevents you from walking fully in the grace and mercy His love has released so freely to you? That keeps you at bay, afraid that if you are found out you will be ruined? What is it that shuts down your ability (or maybe your willingness) to receive all He died to give you? Yes, He definitely says, “sin no more,” but His love, grace and acceptance decreases and ends our natural desire for sin.
Think about the woman caught in the act of blatant sin…about Christ’s Love…His demonstration of acceptance rather than condemnation. The protection and refuge His Love establishes. Why would you let religion with its condemnation, fear and judgment hold any sway in your life?
PRAYER: Oh Lord…I am so sorry. No matter how I try, there are things I just don’t seem to be able to shake. My fear of exposure, doubts that rise up from time to time about how real Your grace or mercy really is…at least for me. I am so sorry to not always trust You 100%. I want to, there is just so much of my flesh still alive and well in me. Help me Lord to yield to Your love and grace…to accept the mercy You died to pour out upon me. How amazing to think of how much You really do love me and care for me. Help me to walk more fully in the truth and reality of this RELATIONSHIP we have. I am so grateful, more than I can say. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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