The study for this afternoon is based on the counsel given by Christ teaching us not to judge or condemn another, nor make foregone conclusions, for only God can read the secret thoughts, and motives of the heart. The reason for this is that many who may indulge in judgmental behaviors, are themselves often guilty of even greater sins, and thus we would disqualify ourselves from correcting others, if we are found to be actively practicing deliberate sin. It is not to say that one must be perfect to preach the gospel, for that time will never come; however, we should avoid the tendency to judge, and condemn. Let’s read:
During the past election cycle, politicians on both sides of the aisle accused each other of lying and perjury; but lo and behold, the same disturbing trend has again emerged, with blatant falsehoods being spoken, and embraced by some. And thus, it is found that the former accusers, have now become the accused. The same thing occurs all too often in Christian circles, where we too may deliberately, or inadvertently point fingers at others, whereas “The man in the mirror” might be the biggest problem. The instructions of Christ on the matter of judging is therefore relevant to both Christians, and all secular folk alike. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull
out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
This passage of scripture constitutes a very solemn warning against the tendency to judge each other's actions, and motives, even when there seems to be a weight of evidence in favor doing so. For instance, when Hannah was praying in the temple, pouring out her soul to God for a child, Eli accused her of being drunk. But at the same time, He himself was not restraining his own sons who were having sex with the female church members, on the church premises. In addition to these grave sins, Eli let his sons practice “Stop and frisk” when it came to the offerings allotted to the priests. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
1st Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
Let us just suppose that Hannah was actually drunk; which sin, in reality would be greater in the sight of God and man? Having a few bud lights or having sex on the church premises with the members under his son’s care? Again, a prominent, former televangelist was noted for his public railings against the LGBTQ community, calling them sinners, and even leading a march against them, in protest of their alternative lifestyle. But some time afterward it was discovered that the same preacher was interfering with some of the young men at his mega church, much to the chagrin of his parishioners who had held him up on a pedestal, and the rest is history.
Now, it is true that Christians need to stand up for God-ordained marriage, but those of us who might advocate for such values should not ourselves be living in violation of the same truths we preach, nor should any similar skeletons be found in our closets. A very solemn, and sacred duty devolves upon the shoulders of those who espouse the name of Christ, and the principles of His kingdom to live in harmony with what we preach, for great damage is done to the cause of Christ, when leaders and preachers are found guilty of the very same sins they condemn. It’s akin to a betrayal of the most sacred duties and trusts. Let’s read:
1st Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Thus, in both of the previous cases, we observe a scenario in which the accuser was guilty of much graver sins, than the one accused, which brings us to the core of our study for this afternoon. Jesus is teaching the people, when suddenly, the Pharisees, and scribes drag a woman into His presence, demanding redress to a supposed grave offense, which in their minds, warrants the death sentence.
John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now, at first glance, there seems to be something amiss with this accusation, for although it was true, we know that it takes at least two people to commit adultery, so one person is obviously missing from the equation. In addition, since adultery is, and was considered a grievous crime, it’s most likely that the act did not take place in a public setting, for the two persons would be in hiding, which then raises the question of how did these teachers of the law catch her in the “very act”.
It’s very strange that the man in question, was able to escape, whilst the woman alone was caught red-handed. Very strange! Christ looks on the spectacle in dismay, He listens to their accusations, and then he begins to write in the dust before Him. Let’s read:
John 8:5 What sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
As the eyes of the multitude were drawn towards the ground in curiosity, it was discovered that Christ was writing out much graver sins that were being committed by the woman’s accusers, and as they realized that their personal records were now being searched by the eye of Omnipotence, they began, one by one to recoil in silence. Some of the words Christ wrote, without mentioning particular names were: Tax evasion, corban, wife beater, drunkard, party animal, tithe robbers, liars, unpaid workers, covetousness, etc.
Many of the accusers left in silence, and with their heads bowed down low, fearing that their names might be disclosed. But some of the accusers dared to remain, because the previous categories of sins did not speak to their consciences. And because of this, it was necessary for Jesus to continue writing, even though He still refrained from adding any specific names to the charges.
God does not take any pleasure in exposing, or embarrassing the sinner, thus Christ will convict the accusers in their consciences, without identifying who they actually were. The very same method was employed with Judas, when Christ said “One of you shall betray me”, then leaving each of His disciples to search their own souls in private, while they kept guessing who it might be. As Christians, we should always seek to shield the sinner from any public embarrassment, as far as this is possible, for this is the law and the prophets. Let’s read:
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Tootsies, porn, gambler, pedophile, extortioner, liar, fraudster, Ponzi scheme, medical malpractice, etc.
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman.
After this second round of writing, it was discovered that the scribes and Pharisees who had accused the woman, had now disappeared mysteriously without a trace, leaving Christ, and the trembling victim all alone. Then the words that will arouse the noblest aspirations in the human spirit, those encouraging words that signal the dawn of a brand new day, are spoken by Christ, and the rest is history. Let’s read:
John 8:10 He said unto her, hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
There is a great spiritual lesson in this for us, for at times we may be urged, or prompted by others to judge, condemn, or draw conclusions about others. Let's try by the grace of God to avoid such actions, considering our own selves, lest we also be found guilty. A very important commentary, pertinent to our study, is written by the pen of inspiration, and it will do us well if we were to follow closely in the footsteps of Christ. Let’s read:
[D.A. pp 462] The woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone,” had come to her as a death sentence. She dared not lift her eyes to the Savior's face, but silently awaited her doom. In astonishment she saw her accusers depart speechless and confounded; then those words of hope fell upon her ear, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Her heart was melted, and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins.
This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to the service of God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she repaid His forgiving mercy.
In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. It is not Christ's follower that, with averted eyes, turns from the erring, leaving them unhindered to pursue their downward course.
Those who are forward in accusing others, and zealous in bringing them to justice, are often in their own lives more guilty than they. Men hate the sinner, while they love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein.
We end with a passage of scripture which should be adopted both in theory and in practice, by all who take the name of Jesus. Let’s read:
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!