Wednesday, August 8, 2012

"Not Condemned, But Saved"

 
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17

The Pharisees brought the woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked what should be done to her. The law said she should be stoned, but they waited to see what Jesus would say. You know the story, one by one her accusers left leaving her alone with Jesus. Jesus then addressed her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" She replied, "No man, Lord." Jesus then answered her back, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more". 
 
Under the law this woman had been found guilty, the death sentence was passed and waited to be carried out. But Jesus would not do it. He wouldn't pick up a stone because He didn't come to condemn, but to save.

You and I and all mankind had broken God's law (through Adam's sin). We had been found guilty (all have sinned). We were to be punished. We received the death sentence (the wages of sin is death). But when Jesus came to earth, He didn't come to condemn us. We were already condemned and awaiting the punishment. His mission wasn't to condemn but to save. And that is what He did at the cross- "it is finished". He saved us, He removed the death sentence on those who seek His forgiveness and turn to Him (the gift of God is eternal life). He set us free from the law of sin and death. He reversed the death sentence by taking our punishment for us.
 
"Go and sin no more". He told the woman who was caught in adultery that He wasn't there to condemn her, but to save her. He came to set that captive free. He came to open the prison door. He came to redeem her from the curse of the law. He came to give her life for death. He came to remove the death sentence over her life. He came to give her abundant life. So now He tells her-- go. Go and sin no more, I have saved you (not just from the stoning, but from the sting and power of sin and death itself), you are a free person. You are no longer under the death sentence. You have been pardoned. You have been justified. You have been set free. You have received life.

Jesus came to save us and He did. So today He is saying the same thing to you- go. Go and sin no more. Go and walk in newness of life. Go and live the abundant life He has given you. You are free from the death penalty. Go and live free from condemnation, guilt and misery. Go and enjoy your salvation. Go live in peace, rest and joy. 
 
Have a great day. Jesus didn't come to condemn us but to save us, and He did so now go and enjoy the abundant life He provided. 
  
For further reading:
John 8
Romans 8:2
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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