Written for the girls receiving God's Girls Newsletter, December 2011.
By Lady Theophilus
Sin: heart rebellion against God. Sins: actions, thoughts, and words in disobedience to God, which are the fruit of sin.Sinner: a person who has sin, and thus sins against God. This person is separated from God and cannot serve Him, being a slave of the devil. He must be saved from his sin by believing in what Jesus did in paying the price for his salvation.
In John, chapter 8, we read the story of a woman who was a sinner. (Please go ahead and read it in your Bible, verses 1-12.) The Pharisees brought her to Jesus, to test Him, so that they could find something in what He said by which to accuse Him. The law said that the woman should be stoned, but what would Jesus say? He said, (v.7)“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
The “options” were these:
A) The Pharisees were without sin.
B) They were forgiven/cleansed from sin.
C) They were sinful.
or D) They were hypocrites: sinners pretending to be righteous.
A) Only Christ was sinless. All others have sinned.
B) These Pharisees had not been forgiven and cleansed from sin, otherwise they would not be warring with Christ, but rather worshipping Him and working for His cause. If they had had their sin washed away, they would have wanted the woman also to be saved, forgiven and cleansed, and thus would have asked Christ for mercy for her, not for permission to kill her.
C) Yes, they were in rebellion against God, but more than that they were
D) unwilling to admit their guilt, unwilling to repent and believe in Jesus; all the while pretending they were righteous leaders and judges.
By Lady Theophilus
Sin: heart rebellion against God. Sins: actions, thoughts, and words in disobedience to God, which are the fruit of sin.Sinner: a person who has sin, and thus sins against God. This person is separated from God and cannot serve Him, being a slave of the devil. He must be saved from his sin by believing in what Jesus did in paying the price for his salvation.
In John, chapter 8, we read the story of a woman who was a sinner. (Please go ahead and read it in your Bible, verses 1-12.) The Pharisees brought her to Jesus, to test Him, so that they could find something in what He said by which to accuse Him. The law said that the woman should be stoned, but what would Jesus say? He said, (v.7)“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
The “options” were these:
A) The Pharisees were without sin.
B) They were forgiven/cleansed from sin.
C) They were sinful.
or D) They were hypocrites: sinners pretending to be righteous.
A) Only Christ was sinless. All others have sinned.
B) These Pharisees had not been forgiven and cleansed from sin, otherwise they would not be warring with Christ, but rather worshipping Him and working for His cause. If they had had their sin washed away, they would have wanted the woman also to be saved, forgiven and cleansed, and thus would have asked Christ for mercy for her, not for permission to kill her.
C) Yes, they were in rebellion against God, but more than that they were
D) unwilling to admit their guilt, unwilling to repent and believe in Jesus; all the while pretending they were righteous leaders and judges.
Christ’s answer (v.7) showed, that yes, the woman did deserve death; but the main purpose of His answer was to expose the sinfulness of the Pharisees. They were each convicted of their sin, so had to leave and could not bring judgment on the woman.
After they left, Christ made it clear to woman that He was the Righteous Judge, and then forgave her of her sins (v.11). But notice what else: He freed her from the power of sin in her heart and life, “Go and sin no more.” When we are saved, the Lord Jesus intends for, and makes the provision of grace for us to life without sin in our lives. Jesus said (v. 12), “...He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” But we do have a choice to make. Are we going to surrender our hearts to the Lord for this victorious Christian life, or are we going to alienate ourselves from Him again by disobeying Him after He has saved us? (Please read Romans 6:11-18.) We can be victorious in Christ!
After they left, Christ made it clear to woman that He was the Righteous Judge, and then forgave her of her sins (v.11). But notice what else: He freed her from the power of sin in her heart and life, “Go and sin no more.” When we are saved, the Lord Jesus intends for, and makes the provision of grace for us to life without sin in our lives. Jesus said (v. 12), “...He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” But we do have a choice to make. Are we going to surrender our hearts to the Lord for this victorious Christian life, or are we going to alienate ourselves from Him again by disobeying Him after He has saved us? (Please read Romans 6:11-18.) We can be victorious in Christ!
