Lessons from God’s Word!

 

As I was doing my Bible study this morning, God brought to mind one of his passages. 

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:1-11)

For years, I feel like I have been living under the condemnation of others… I have placed myself under their condemnations and let their accusations play in my mind over and over again. Why?  Why do I let myself stay in this place?  This woman was being accused of adultery… and it appears her accusers had evidence against her.  As the accusations come my ways, my mind responds to the insults, “But that isn’t true.”  “Why didn’t anyone ask what was really going on?”  “Lord, am I really that horrible of a person?” 

As I read this passage today I had peace… even if all the accusations against me were true (thankfully they are not)… I am still forgiven. I don’t have to live under the condemnation any longer. Jesus has forgiven me.  What should my response be?  To get up…get off the ground… don’t sit there in self pity any longer… and sin no more.  I am not foolish enough to think that I am innocent of sin.  So, yes, I recognize that I too need to turn from my sins.  This is a daily battle… one that can only be won as I draw closer to Jesus and allow Him to be at work in my life. 

Even if my accusers still come at me… I can still find peace in this passage… and many others.  While the accusations may cause pain at time… God will heal my heart…and in the meantime… my desire is to pray.  Pray for God’s help in not being the one that ‘casts stones of accusations’ at others. Pray that God helps me to walk in obedience Him and forgive others whether they deserve, think they need it, ask for it, etc. Pray for the hurt and bitterness to be removed from my life.  Pray for truth to be revealed.  Pray for hardened hearts to be softened. Pray for those who speak evil against me.  Pray God’s healing hand to be upon the lives of those who have been hurt.  There is so much I need to be praying for… Lord, forgive me for failing in this area lately. 

I am only human, so yes, I do fail…and yes, the words of accusations do hurt.  But God will use all things to mold me into the image of His Son… even the most painful experiences I have to experience.  When I fall, He will pick me back up… because I am His child.