John 8: Grace Walking With Us
Read: John 8, Psalm 8
Who: Who wrote this book? Who did they write it to? What was their reason for writing?
What: What does this passage say about God, me, and my relationship with Him?
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8: 10-11 (NLT)
There are many theological points about who Jesus is in chapter 8. Although Jesus made many statements about who he is and what he does, the part that stood out to me is what he said he doesn’t do. Jesus stated that he does not condemn (though he could) and that he does not judge.
The woman caught in adultery was guilty. She was caught in the act. Jesus didn’t condemn her. Instead, he told her to go and sin no more.
Jesus is grace walking with us.
Why: Why is this truth important?
It’s incredibly easy to condemn and judge others. It isn’t as great though when, like those who brought the adulteress woman before Jesus, the question of sin is turned back to me. Am I innocent? … No.
The truth of God’s grace is critical in teaching us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
How: How would my life/character/perspective be different if I truly believed this truth?
We all love the fact that Jesus’ words send the accusers away. We want to the grace the adulteress woman received. However, we also need to remember he didn’t give her a free pass. He said, “Go and sin no more.”
He loves us enough to give us grace, but he also loves us enough to not leave us in our sin. In this same chapter, Jesus says that all who sin are slaves to sin.
If I truly believed in God’s grace, I would live in freedom, and I would work to extend that same freedom to others.
I would speak truth in love. I would recognize that no one is more guilty than me, but that God’s grace covers us all. When someone in front of me is enslaved to sin, I should present them the opportunity to experience freedom without first stoning them in condemnation.
Prayer:
God, help me to walk in your grace. Help me to turn to you for freedom and to bring others out from the bondage of sin without ever speaking a word of condemnation. Teach me to walk like you.
Amen