What Love Did
It was time to execute her:
She stood on the gallows of shame
Attached to the noose of guilt
And covered with the hood of sin;
They chanted
Saying she’s better off dead
Saying nothing good can come out of her
Saying her sin is the worst of all;
Then one of the spectators asked
Would you spare her life just once?
Can I take whatever is left of her?
Sure you can, they mocked
Remember she’s better off dead
Because nothing good can come out of her;
But he showed her love
Love turned her life around
Today she is so fruitful
That only good comes out of her.
The Inspiration
This post is in reference to the story of the woman taken in adultery and was to be stoned to death [1]. You may have been belittled, judged or condemned by the world or yourself. You may have taken paths you should not have, or made mistakes you wish you did not make. Your life today is hope that you can make a difference, probably based on your experience. What then can we learn from the story of the adulterous woman?
1. No one is without sin: - Her prosecutors seemed to have a great zeal against her sin, when it appeared afterwards that they themselves were not free from sin. It is not unusual for those that tolerate their own sin to be intolerant of the sins of others.
2. When your sin is brought to light, it is for your own good: - She was taken in the act, leaving no room to plead not guilty. It is better for your sin to shame you than damn you, and be set in order before you to arouse your repentance.
3. When you bring your cause before God, you will never have reason to take the matter elsewhere, for He is the refuge of those who are repentant.
4. It is human to have doubts about your fate, even when you come before God: - But like the adulterous woman, as you stand before Him, you will experience His infinite grace, love and mercy.
5. You will need to forgive your accusers: - She was silent concerning her prosecutors when asked “where are they that condemn you?" She did not triumph because they had left or insult them knowing they were not perfect after all.
In addition, let us not throw stones or execute others because we feel they are worse sinners than ourselves. Rather let us show them love and forgiveness. Such has more power to cause change.
6. Reformation comes after forgiveness: - For Christ to tell her, "I do not condemn you is", in effect to say, "I do forgive you". Then he tells her she should go and sin no more.
It will be futile if you try to clean up your life in order to avoid God’s condemnation. It should be the other way around. God doesn’t say, “Leave your life of sin, and then I will no longer condemn you.”[2] He implies, “I do not condemn you; now leave behind your life of sin to enable you see that you are a different person.”
Thank you Heavenly Father because you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins when we confess. When you forgive us, you completely forget what we did and remember our sins no more. Thank you for your mercy and your love that is a story-changer. May we not take your love, grace and mercy for granted. In Jesus Name, Amen.
References
[1] The bible: John 8:1-11
[2] Jesus and the Adulterous Woman
[3] Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible: John Chapter 8
