Grace to Change

John 8:11 - And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

The story we often call The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery is a powerful story of grace. She was dragged to Jesus by a bunch of legalistic Jewish leaders as simply a tool to get him in trouble. There will multiple witnesses of her inappropriate behavior. There was no doubt of her guilt of the charge that may not mean much in America today but gave grounds for her to be killed by people throwing stones at her under the Jewish Law. Those Jewish leaders reminded Jesus of this. “In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (John 8:5 ESV)

They knew this would put Jesus in a tough spot. If he said, “Stone her,” he would fulfill the Law, but the message of grace he had been preaching would be nullified. If he said, “Let her go,” he would be violating the Old Testament Law. Instead, on another of his brilliant moves of righteous grace, Jesus responded, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7 ESV)

As those vicious leaders thought about Jesus’ challenge, one by one they left, because they realized they each were guilty of doing wrong things in their own lives. None of them were eligible to throw that first stone. Once Jesus saw that they all left he uttered the unforgettable words to the woman: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:10-11 ESV)

As the only sinless person to walk this earth, Jesus could have condemned her, but he didn’t. His wonderful promise extends to all of us who come to him. He forgives. He does not condemn, but notice that forgiveness is not a license to continue in the sinful behavior: “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV)

Our modern world is often caught between the two bad options the Jewish leaders thought they had limited Jesus to. Either we slam the “sinners” around us with condemnation or we endorse their sin and say there is nothing wrong with doing evil things. There are plenty of well-meaning Christians who have planted themselves on both sides of this dilemma, but Jesus’ way is still best. Let us forgive those who have done wrong (because we all have), yet see that forgiveness as the first step in a new life in which behavior changes because wrong is still wrong. Grace is the gateway to change.