“” by Kirk Hunt

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:10-11 KJV

The scribes and Pharisees slunk away. Jesus used their own trap against them. The stark, unyielding nature of the Law, and the sin of their own lives, left them no choice but retreat.

While the Pharisees were motivated by error and hypocrisy, they were right about the woman's sin. Jesus could have launched into a blistering sermon. He could have done with words what her accusers wanted to do with stones.

Jesus' words and actions towards her are pure grace. Grace, the unmerited favor of God, is a gift beyond measure. With grace, we receive what we do not deserve.

Jesus is careful to admonish her: “Sin no more.” Too often we confuse grace with indulgence. Nothing can be further from the truth.

God's grace is an opportunity to make it right, or at least, not again. It's a chance to pursue Him. It's an occasion to grow in His truth.

Use the gift of grace to get it, and yourself, right. God doesn't want to beat you down. Instead, He wants to raise you up.

Think: God's grace in my life is not an indulgence of my sin.

Pray: “Lord, help me use Your grace to grow closer to You.”

Copyright © April 2009, Kirk Hunt