"Go and sin no more"

Did you ever ponder why Jesus said this to the woman caught red-handed in the act of adultery?

We can safely say that Jesus knew this womans whole life and what led up to her actions that day.  He also knew the condition of her heart and if she was discusted by her own sin even though she willingly participated. 

Men stood around her, holding their stones, ready to take her life.  At that moment, Jesus asked which one of THEM was without sin.     

In Romans chapter 7 the apostle Paul writes about his struggle with sin as a born again believer.  He explains that it is the sin living in him that causes him to do what he does not want to do.  This tells me that the Christian who sins does not desire to practice sin as he might have before conversion, but will still sin due to his real self being encased in a body of flesh that desires the sin.  Paul then explains that we are to let God's spirit direct our heart attitudes and actions more and more.  He also warns that this is not a liscence to sin. 

All the Christians we know are in various stages of spiritual growth.  I am in no way capable of knowing what is going on inside of a persons heart at any given time.  I can see or experience a person's actions, react to those actions, hopefully with gentleness and forgiveness, but I cannot judge their standing with God.  Lord, I release that judgement to you because only you can judge rightly.  You are all knowing - not me!

Without love I am only a noisy gong or clanging symbol. I have felt the judgement of someone and I have felt the love of someone.  Both parties desired to bring me a rebuke.  The judgemental person did love the Lord but brought many assumptions and fear to my heart. But oh how refreshing was the person who brought rebuke to me in love! Their words brought tears to my eyes and refreshing to my soul!  This person's rebuke was a product of God's spirit reaching out to me....not a flawed attempt in the flesh to glorify oneself.

That situation taught me some things. God doesn't need me to rebuke or confront every situation.  I will strive to live my life in such a manor that allows others to see Christs righteousness in me (cause I have NONE on my own!)  I don't need to be the Holy Spirit's mouthpiece unless instructed to do so.  My judgements are wrong because I am not all knowing.  And when the time comes that the Holy Spirit wants to use me to intervene in a person's life, I will wait gently and patiently for those perfectly calaulated words to deliver to that person.  

I am learning so much about God's grace. I want to love people like Jesus did. With compassion, without judging appearances and motives, taking the log out of my own eye, having a "go and sin no more" heart towards others....because I need that for myself!