Stone Fight?

Last night I was reflecting on some stuff that is flying around lately, and I was reminded of the story of the woman caught in adultery, found in John 8. 

It is such a  wonderful study in the grace of God, and such an interesting study of our humanity and our tendencies to judge those we know who are sinners.  Here is the story, which is one of my favorites - John 8:2-11 NIV:

[2] “At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. 

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

[8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 

[10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 

[11] “No one, sir,” she said. 

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

In my life I have spent a considerable time reflecting on this story, and every time my heart is moved by two things, the vulnerability of the woman, and Jesus’ response! 

However, the ugly part of the story is the group gathered ready to condemn! It is amazing to me how quickly a group gathers when someone is caught in sin, regardless of the sin, especially when it becomes known publically.

I am not sure what it is in our character and nature, but the idea of someone caught in sin, seems to drive a blood-lust like no other.  The term “sharks to blood” seems applicable.

I think there is something in us that is so relieved that “it isn’t me” that’s been caught, that we forget that we are every bit as much sinners as the next individual.  Jesus lays His finger directly on that idea with His simple statement “”Let any of you who is without sin throw the first stone.”

Secondly, I find it intriquing that it is the Pharisees and teachers of the law that parade the woman in front of Jesus. They are effectively the leaders of the church, the religious ones, and they are all spun up, ready to condemn this woman (one wonders where the man that she was caught with was in all this, but that’s another reflection). 

I have always found it interesting how quickly leaders will condemn those caught in sin, again, maybe it's to make sure the finger of accusation is not pointed at them, for we know we are all sinners (Romans 3;23).  There is clearly a role in pastoring and leading that includes dealing with sin, but I am pretty sure that gathering around the sinner and pointing fingers, ready to condemn the sinner is what Jesus deals with here!  Lord, have mercy on us!

I have always thought dealing with sin to be a bit like cleaning toilets, or maybe changing a nasty diaper.  When one of our kids had a blow-out we didn’t gather a group of people around to enjoy the experience, or talk about it endlessly.

I am reminded of a few verses whose heart we see in the verses above.  Jesus was speaking about His purpose in coming into the world - John 12:47-48 NIV:

[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

Here we have Jesus, the very Son of God, the only one on earth that could judge, and He specifically says He didn’t come to judge!  I, for one, don’t want to take a position that Jesus wouldn’t take.  We see this very heart presented in the story we started with today.  Jesus, rather than judge or condemn, calls the woman to leave her life of sin.  One must believe that  this woman was radically changed by her encounter with such a savior.

Oh that people would experience this same mercy, love, gentleness and forgiveness at the hands of the church!

I just had a funny thought, imagine if the crowd actually started throwing stones at the other sinners after Jesus’ statement.  I think everyone would have come away bruised and battered as they would have been throwing stones at themselves!

I believe humility is the better and safer way.  I am reminded of several scriptures:

1 Peter 3:8 NIV: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV:

[5] “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV:

[1] ”Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

Ephesians 4:2-4 NIV:

[2] “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;”

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that this story about "the woman Jesus wouldn’t condemn" is here for a very important reason, to show us God’s heart towards us all!  He constantly deals with our sins, our mistakes, our misunderstandings, and washes us clean again and again!  He extends mercy, when we are absolutely not worthy of mercy! 

Oh that the church would learn to walk in this part of Jesus’ character.  He deals with sin, and He calls us out of sin, but His approach is gentleness and mercy.  

The day will come when we will be judged, and it's my prayer that I am found hidden in Him, washed in His purifying and cleansing blood.  I am certainly unworthy of His forgiveness and mercy, but then none of us are!  It is only due to His sacrifice that I have any hope!

Let us choose to embrace the ministry of Jesus!  Let us love one another deeply, being gentle and humble and bearing with one another in love!  Let us extend mercy and grace to one another and remind ourselves of God’s incredible grace and mercy towards us.

Let us present to the world a completely different approach to sin, the very one that Jesus demonstrated!  

How do we ever expect that the church will be clean and spotless if we deal with sin by throwing stones?  

Oh Jesus help us!  Oh Holy Spirit blow upon us!  Blood of Jesus, wash us clean!

Amen and Amen!

In the Heavenly Courtroom

In the last few days I have been thinking about the way the Lord works in our lives, and how different that is compared to how we think He would work.  Our ideas of God’s interactions with us can be all over the place, even for those of us in the Church, for we are not immune to misunderstanding, deception, and bad or incomplete teaching. I find that we struggle to really grasp the idea of Grace, the truth of the Gospel, and the invitation to relationship.  

This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans that are so full of good news, and helpful perspectives, that they have really helped me to embrace a deeper understanding of how good God really is towards me.  Here are the verses - Romans 8:31-39 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

First, the simple truth - God is for us!  He is not against us (ver. 31).

Say that again, God is for us!  

God is for me!

He withholds nothing from me! (ver. 32)

He has given His best (His Son Jesus) for me! (ver. 32)

No one can bring ANY charges against me, for I am chosen and justified by God! (ver. 33)

Jesus is standing at the right hand of the Father interceding for me. (ver. 34)

In other words Jesus is defending me, pleading His case for me!  He is the one who chose me and justified me, and who has applied His righteousness to me!

When I think about this, I see a heavenly courtroom, and Jesus is on my side (my defender).  He is the one pleading my case!  

And if He is my defender, who is the one bringing charges? According to Revelations 12:10, the accuser of the Brethren (Satan) is the one bringing charges, or in our case we would call him the “prosecutor”.  

Revelation 12:10 NIV:  "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”

This picture has helped me so much, for there are many times the thoughts entering my mind are accusations, and I know exactly where those accusations are coming from, and who they are coming from.  

Often times the accusations are aimed at me, things like:

“You aren’t worthy!”

“You have disqualified yourself!”

“Don’t you remember the terrible thing you said or did? God will never accept you!”

“You are damaged goods, there is no hope for you, you might as well quit!”

If I start down one of these paths, my mind will be filled will all sorts of memories, almost like I am opening up a trash bag of all the bad things I have thought or done in the past.  Again, according to scripture this is not coming from the Lord, but from the enemy of our soul!. 

It is at times like these, that I hold onto the truths in Romans 8!

Equally important, I need to apply these same verses to all of my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ!  Clearly God feels the exact same way about them as He does me!  

I often find that I have thoughts about others that would be much more in line with the accusations of the enemy, than the truth expressed in Romans 8.  I find myself judging them, being offended at their sins, or even the idea that they might sin!  I see all sorts of imperfections in them, and find myself agreeing whole-heartedly! I find myself thinking that I don’t want to be in relationship with them, etc.  Yikes!

One time I was really being swept away by this thinking and the Lord interrupted my judgment and accusations, and asked me, “which side of the courtroom are you on?” 

I realized that I was on the side opposite of Him!  (That’s what the yikes is about!)

I immediately repented and asked that He forgive me for joining the accusations against the Brethren!  I prayed for His perspective, His mercy and His grace!

Finally, there are other times where the thoughts that enter my mind are accusing God of wrong doing!  Times where I am having difficulty, or things aren’t working out the way I thought they would!  I find that I am very susceptible to grumbling and complaining!  

At times like these, I find that I am acting much like the Israelites after they were led out of slavery in Egypt, and complaining about the manna!  Their life was difficult, and they were wanting to go back to Egypt for better food!  They were complaining about God’s plan and provision! 

I have found myself doing this multiple times!  Thoughts like the following:

“I can’t believe God’s plan for me led to this dead-end job!”

“I have been praying for this for years and God hasn't done a thing, clearly He doesn’t love me!”

“I have done so much for God, and now this happens, He clearly doesn’t care for me!”

“I have done so much for God, I deserve a blessing and instead I get this…”

“God didn’t heal this person I love, so he isn’t a good God after all!”

“How could God let this happen to me?”

I could continue on, but I think the point is clear!  I often find myself agreeing with these accusations about God!  Again, I have had the Lord interrupt my complaints and ask me, “Sam, which side of the court room are on?”

Yikes!

Incidentally, this is the exact same type of accusation that Eve listened to in the Garden!

In summary, I have found that living my life with this understanding has helped me immensely to think correctly!  I have found myself on the wrong side of the courtroom too many times, and recognizing that I am in league with the enemy rather than the Lord has definitely helped me battle through the war in my mind to get myself on the Lord’s side.  

I have been helped greatly and my prayer is that we would all step over to the Lord’s side, for our own view of our lives before Him, and our attitudes towards others in the Body of Christ! 

Lastly, I have been greatly helped in my ability to hold onto my faith in God, seeing His goodness in the midst of difficulty, and seen my hope rise!

My prayer is that the Lord might help us all!  Lord, have mercy on us, extend your grace to us!  Thank you for Your grace, your mercy, Your forgiveness and you intercessions for me!

Amen and Amen!