Go and Sin No More!
Jesus told a woman accused of sin “to go and sin no more”. Although I would like everyone to go and sin no more, I almost wish that Jesus had never said that particular phrase because it can give the impression of a demand on us to keep ourselves sinless. It’s often given as a reason for us to continue preaching about sin.
But let’s not miss the fact that something else was said BEFORE that phrase was uttered. Jesus first told the woman that He does not condemn her. This is important because the no condemnation phrase came before Jesus pronounced her “free from sin”.
When we emphasize the latter statement first, we get things out of order. We do not become free of condemnation because we stopped sinning. Our life and our ways have changed because we are free from condemnation. This is the Jesus way. This is heaven’s way. This is how we get the horse in front of the cart and not the other way around.
When we get the cart before the horse, people struggle with their worthiness and lovability because they struggle to fulfill a command of sinlessness. This is why the cross speaks so loudly to us. The cross tells us “I don’t condemn you.” The message of the cross settles the issue of our lovability and worth. This allows us to freely learn the ways of God without being distracted by having our attention on our fleshly performance.
It was when I finally believed that I was NOT condemned, though I was very imperfect, that my heart, my motives, and my actions changed for the better. Everyone needs to hear the words, “I don’t condemn you” because there truly is no condemnation in Christ. He has none to give and it’s the power of a love that makes no demands that can affect a heart that was as broken and confused as mine was.
It’s because of NO CONDEMNATION that we are in love with God in a way that is real and empowering. This is the goodness of God that leads us to change our minds. It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (see Romans 2:4).
Let’s always remember that Jesus came and made things right. He put the horse in front of the cart, where it belongs. And with everything we do, we start fresh with no condemnation because His mercies are new every morning.
Have a “condemnation-free” day!