Not to Condemn But to Save

“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.” (John 8:7, NKJV)

Isn’t it amusing — dare I say, funny — that despite our own shortcomings and prior lives chock-full of willful sinning, we STILL have somewhat of a “built-in tendency” to judge others, especially those who have yet to be gifted new life through Christ Jesus and encounter transformation by grace? Why is that?

For one, I believe it’s in our very nature [as fallen men] to be quick in “righting” ourselves… even at the expense of someone or something else. Second, some can argue that we’re simply – by default – competitive… hungering in most cases to come out on top, be the best and look the best, relish the advantage of first-place power. However, lastly — and I think this is why most Christians easily go from a status of being judged to an attitude of judging others — I’ve realized that we so-called believers are sometimes merely “half-believers, half-doubters”.

Hear me out! What does James 1:7-8 say? “When you are half-hearted and wavering, it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?” Now I believe this can be extrapolated to our perspective of God’s mercy!

Look at the Jewish leaders’ ongoing disbelief and doubt expressed in these passages: John 7:4-5, John 7:3-6, John 7:47-53, John 8:12-20, John 8:31-59. Isn’t it astonishing just how adamantly AGAINST Jesus the majority of these leaders were? Not only were they against Him [and thus God and the forthcoming Spirit prophesied of]… but also inherently good-natured deeds — MIRACLES, at that — solely due to legalism! Ultimately, going about God in an instructional-only, legalistic, and almost theoretical manner is what prevented these priests and scribes from seeing God’s true nature before their very own eyes: “‘If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him'” (Jesus speaking in John 7:17-8, NKJV). Remember, we’ve been raised to life in Christ, yes. But the story doesn’t end there. Clearly, there are MANY more raised-to-life miracles needing to take place in your loved ones, your friends and family, your colleagues and co-workers. Don’t be so quick to judge others… or better yet, don’t be quick to forget where you yourself were redeemed from via the precious life of Jesus — lest you be stoned (i.e. reflect on John 8:2-11).

It’s such a blessing – an utmost privilege – to be on God’s team, “the winning side” (John 6:44, John 15:16)… a fact that should never be abused or taken advantage of, but instead sets ablaze a “proclamation heart” like that of John the Baptizer (John 1:20-27). Recall Jesus’ words: “‘When you continue to embrace all that I teach, you prove that you are my true followers. For if you embrace the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives'” (TPT).

   – Contributed by Bro James Agtuca