When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
John 8:10-11
Some people who want to continue in their sin try to use this passage to say that no one has the right to judge them because everyone is a sinner. They misuse this passage just like, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” in Matthew 7:1. But the entirety of the Bible teaches that we are to encourage righteousness and discipline unrighteousness in our families and in the church.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 19:18
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1st Thessalonians 5:14
Observe the text closely. This woman doesn’t get away with her sin. She suffers public shame. Further, Jesus says GO AND SIN NO MORE! This means what she did was a sin and she needed to stop it and get other sins out of her life as well.
One of the true reasons why we have this passage is this shows one of the most marvelous expressions of the grace of God.
Jesus asks, “Where are thine accusers?” She responds, “There are none.” Jesus says, “I don’t accuse you either.” Justification is an act of mercy that is declared by God, and once it is declared, no one can change it!
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Romans 8:33-34
Jesus knew that this woman was one of God’s precious elect. He knew that He was going to die for her in about 6 months. More importantly, He knew that He was going to raise from the dead to declare that God the Father saw her as just because she was covered by His blood. Therefore, Jesus did not accuse her!
What grace!
Lowrance Ministries 