Stay deeply rooted in Him

In John chapter 8 we learn about a woman who is caught in the act of adultery.  Caught in the act ... there is no doubt she was guilty of the sin.  According to the Law of Moses, both she and the man should be put to death for this sin.  But, the Pharisees, trying to trick Jesus, brought her to the temple courts and made her stand before the people.  They asked Jesus, what should we do with this woman?  Then, Jesus reacted not by wagging his finger in their face or by crossing his arms in judgment of the accusers.  He simply bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  When the Pharisees continued to badger him for an answer, he stood and with one calm, brief answer he convicted each one of them there.  “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  At this, they all started turning away…the older ones first.  Then after everyone was gone, Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.  “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

So, what is God saying to me in this passage?  First, God’s Grace is amazing … it makes no sense … it is huge.  Moses law makes sense … you do something wrong and you pay the price for that.  Grace is not justice, Grace is love … unending love.  That is what we are given.  That is what we should then in turn give to everyone in our path.  My path in the past seven days has brought me in contact with a homeless man who wanted money to buy drugs, a friend going to the doctor to get scary test results, a Mom who was just visited by Children and Youth services, and a 45 year old who just found out she may have a brain aneurism.  God has really challenged me this week to just be firm in Him and to love everyone with His love, not mine.  Extend His Grace to them all.  I can’t fix their problems; I can just give them what has been given to me … the love and Grace of Jesus Christ. 

Secondly, turn from sin.  Jesus did not condemn the woman, He simply said “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  I always looked at that verse and thought … yeah, that is easier said than done.  Then yesterday when I prayed the Lords prayer it hit me.  I can’t leave my life of sin in my own strength.  I need to be in constant prayer for His help … God, Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one!  I need complete devotion to Him so that I won’t fall prey to sin. 

Don’t let the struggles of this life take you away from God.  Stay deeply rooted in Him each second of each day … leave your life of sin and live for Him. 

Betsy