He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone
John 8:1-11
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 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. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but 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. 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. 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, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? 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.
What a profound example! What a profound example left by our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
The adulterous woman brought before Jesus was condemned by the ruling religious class of the day at hand --the scribes and Pharisees.
Before contiinuing with the scripture, it is important to understand the historical context of the time as it relates to the scribes and Pharisees.
The Pharisees held to a very legalistic approach to God’s holy Hebrew written law, however their interpretation of that law was often different than the law of YHWH. The Pharisees were created sometime after the fall of the temple to the Babylonians, Israel’s second dispersion, the Babylonian Captivity. There arrived what is called Halakhic law or laws said be of God, but were of what the Jews called an “oral Torah” and this oral Torah was quite different in its interpretation from the written Torah, YHWH’s written Hebrew Law.
It must be stated that Israel, as a people, has been cast away from God’s presence for its many sins against YHWH.
As punishment, God brought the Assyrian captivity around 720 BC and the later the Babylonian Captivity around 586 BC in which not only was the Jerusalem Temple burned, but there was no sign of the Ark of the Covenant (which contained the written Law in stone and on scrolls).
By this time the Israelites had largely forsaken the laws of the written law of YHWH.
There was a conflict in so called religious realm between the loyal prophets of YHWH and the (false) prophets of those in Israel, and after the fall of Jerusalem, in Babylon.
It is out of the Babylonian dispersion we have what today is known as Judaism, more precisely Pharisaical Judaism which adhered to an oral law and later added many law legalistic commentaries to become what we know today as the Babylonian Talmud, which later was codified in written form around 600 AD.
At the time of Christ, there existed this gross interpretation of God’s Law – Pharisaical Judaism.
There were others in the religious class such as the Sadducees. The Sadducees relied only on God's law as it is written and a strict interpretation of the law, thus they were different in their interpretations of the law and differed from the Pharisees who held at times a looser interpretation of the law.
This looser interpretation was in fact loaded with more rules and laws made up by men, Rabis, in their own interpretation of the law. In essence, both religious classes had corrupted the law by their own interpretations of the holy law of YHWH.
This is the Historical context to understanding the ruling religious class when Jesus arrives on the scene.
With that very brief context of Judaism, let’s now continue.
John 8:3-5
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. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Ok, let’s now look at the Law of YHWH.
Exodus 20:14
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
This scripture is straight out of God’s ten commandments law written in stone.
The next scripture is also from the law from God, but what we call a statute of God’s law.
Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
At the time of Christ, persons guilty under the law were subject to be put to death. A common method was stoning.
Let’s read about stoning briefly.
Numbers 15:32-36
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35 And YHWH said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as YHWH commanded Moses.
Now read from the story of the adulterous woman and Jesus.
John 8:6 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.
It says they were trying to temp Jesus, trying to put him in a box, or pin him into a corner, by using the Law of God as their justification to stone this woman.
Indeed, the Law of God states adultery is an offence for stoning.
Look at Jesus’s reaction -- he pretends not to hear them.
Read on.
John 8:7-8
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.
Jesus knows the Law of God, but Jesus poses them a problem that they did not expect “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
He then stoops back down and continues ignoring the self-righteous Pharisees.
In other words, if you are going to hold someone to standards of the law which is Holy, pure,and righteous, are you anywise as holy, righteous, or are you without sin?
Read on and see what happened.
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.
These men of the religious order all suddenly realized they themselves were not pure either –nor without sin.
They could not stone the woman.
Each man therefore let go his wrath and stones and left one by one until only Jesus and the adulterous woman remained.
John 8:10-11
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? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
When Jesus lifts himself, he saw the woman alone and asks her where her accusers are?
No one man was without sin or could rightly stone the woman.
Not one man there, except JESUS.
JESUS is a man too, but he is also without sin.
He knows the Law of YHWH, he could rightfully stone her, but he instead he says “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
This was God in the flesh --YHWH--and he extended her mercy, rather than wrath and left the woman a commandment “go, and sin no more.”
Jesus saw the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and men who could not keep the holy law perfectly and being sinners themselves how could they judge, condemn this woman under the law.
No man was justified by the law, for one would have to be perfect under the rules of the law of God.
Jesus left us an example.
What a profound example left by our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ.
As Christians, we are supposed to be students of Jesus the Christ and yet how many of us truly understand the example that Jesus left us in this testimony recorded in the book of John?
I have to confess, that at times I have read and thought I understood much of what is contained in this lesson, but even I fall short and so I am reminded to mindful when making a judgement toward others.
It’s easy to pass a judgement on another person living what seem to be immoral practices, but we as Christians have to be mindful of the fact we once were sinners too!
We committed if not the same sins, other sins, and we all are still born into a heritage of sin.
The Holy Bible does teach that sin is unrighteous, and a violation of God’s righteous law, and God loves judgement.
Psalm 37:28
For YHWH loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
God Almighty YHWH judges because he alone is a God of truth, without sin, just, and right or righteous.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Man, on the other hand, is not righteous, nor born without fallings and according the Holy Bible born of sin.
Man left to own his devices will never achieve the righteousness of God.
Only God can make man righteous.
All men fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
When we read the Holy Bible we learn that Jesus was born quite different from all other men.
Jesus was born of the Holy Ghost by the power of Almighty God. Jesus was born of the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit without sin.
Matthew 1:20-23
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Speaking of Jesus, the apostles wrote:
1st John 3:5
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1st John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1st Titus 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
All these scriptures refer to the man (born of the flesh) Jesus (God in the flesh) a man without sin—God who can forgive sins.
The Bible teaches this in the letters of the apostles after Jesus has been crucified having died for the sins of the world.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
As Christians, being In Christ, believing in Jesus having faith in God, we are only justified by faith.
We are forgiven our sins by the grace of God.
Romans 3:20-26
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
So, If we are forgiven our sins, we ought to be able to forgive the sins of others by not condemning or raising our stone to stone another sinner as to death, rather we are to preach Christ, share the gospel to save other sinners that they might receive the same faith as we have in Jesus the Christ; the only one who can forgive all sins, the one who can give grace; the one who can Justify a sinner to righteousness and Life everlasting!
This is the same teaching Jesus taught us.
Matthew 7:1-5
¶ 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.
Again in Luke, Jesus goes even further.
Luke 6:37-38
¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
So what is being said here?
Don’t be so quick to judge people who have sins, when you yourself have sinned or committed the same sins. Don’t condemn anyone, only God can do that. If you forgive, then God will forgive us. As God can forgive a sinner ought we to have a mind to be able to forgive as well?
Now while we are the topic of judgment it’s important to remember one in Christ who once was a sinner, now redeemed through the blood of Jesus is not to live in sin. As Jesus told the Woman “go, and sin no more.”
Look, there is a time and place for Christians to legitimately judge or rebuke that which causes sin and iniquity.
Read 1st Corinthians 5:9-6:12
1st Corinthians 5:9-13
¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1st Corinthians 6:1-12
¶ Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 12 ¶ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Now read a preceding scripture of the same book letter.
1st Corinthians 4:1-5
¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
It’s clear that Paul does not teach us not to be able to judge things pertaining to this life, but it should be done according to righteous or fair judgment.
What changed in the letter from 1st Corinthians chapter 4 to chapter 5?
1st Corinthians 5:1-8
¶ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
You see even believers can and do commit sins, and in this case the sin of fornication for which there is judgement and Paul judges as such.
Paul also taught that one should not judge one especially if the one judging has committed the same sin and just as guilty as one you might be judging.
Read Romans 2.
Romans 2:1-11
¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Let’s read what Jesus said regarding if a brother or trespass against brother.
Matthew 18: 15-17
¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Look at this Scripture.
When a person is sinning, a Christian can tell him his fault, in other words rebuke, or convict the sin.
If he shall hear, in other words, agree recognize his sin and repents, then you should be will willing to forgive and gain back your brother.
If he does not hear you, then let that man be witnessed by two or three persons.
If he still refuses to listen, tell it to the Church, the Body of Christ.
If he still refuses to repent or listen to the Church, then you may treat him as a heathen or publican—an outcast.
A bit further along in Matthew Jesus states:
Mathew 18:21-22
¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
This was recorded in the book of Luke.
Luke 7: 3-4
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
It’s clear that if the one trespassing in sin, repents he is to be forgiven.
In the apostle book of 1st John, the apostle teaches us about how God forgives our sins.
1st John 1:5-2:2
¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
It is God who forgives all sins, but first we must come to God acknowledging our sin as sinners. If we say we have no sin we are a liar. If we say we have not sinned we are a liar because all men and women are not only born into sin, but have somewhere along our lives sinned against God.
Sadly, even as Christians we can fall and do sin.
None of us are perfect. It’s clear what the Bible says that God will be final Judge of all men who will give an accounting to God.
But understand that, it’s God who judges and who is able and willing to extend mercy to those who sincerely and genuinely repent of their sin, accept they are a sinner and work to change their ways before God. God can forgive a repentant sinner.
Now read Romans 6.
Romans 6:1-14
¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
If God judges us to be forgiven of our sins, we are not justified by law which we as a sinner broke, but rather we are justified by God’s sovereign merciful grace.
Read on.
Romans 6:15-23
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Even though we are not justified by the law, the law of God is holy, right, and just; we do not make the law void; rather as Paul writes, we establish the law.
Romans 3: 19-30
¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Recall what Jesus said of the law.
Matthew 5:17-18
¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The law of God stands sure even after heaven and earth passes!
As Christians although sanctified by faith in Jesus the Christ, we still establish the law.
1st John 3:18-24
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 ¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
What else did Jesus teach about the law of God?
Matthew 22:35-40
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Christians are to love God first, with all their heart, all their soul, all their mind!
And then, love their neighbor.
Luke 10:25-37
¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Our neighbor is whomever we should come in contact with.
How many of Christians truly practice or live up these standards as Christ spoke of?
If the Law and prophets hang on these two commandments what if one falls short of obeying them?
For those who try their best to obey and follow these commandments is to love God and if we love God we will do what he commanded us to do.
We also will try to learn the many lessons that Jesus taught and the example that he left us to learn.
There’s so much more that could be said, but it is clear that Jesus in his treatment of the woman guilty of adultery, and his decision to give mercy and grace, not punishment or wrath, is a reminder to all of us to have mercy, forgiveness, and the grace to not condemn the sinner, but convict them of their sins by sharing the Gospel of Jesus the Christ.
We share the gospel in the hope that the sinner might be convinced in his or her mind and spirit that he or she might see themself as a sinner, and realize that they too need the salvation of Almighty God, to be justified by their faith in Jesus before God and saved from the wrath of judgment.
1st Corinthians 15:50-57
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.