SCRIPTURE READING
John 8:11 (ESV); Neither do I condemn you
To condemn is to pronounce judgment on someone, to proclaim them as guilty and give an
appropriate sentence. Our sin condemns. It resides on the witness stand, accusing us of guilt and
proclaiming our punishment: eternal separation from God. But Jesus, though He holds the authority
to judge and condemn, did not come to do so. He came to bring truth: to break people out of their
chains to sin. Our sin condemns us, but Christ sets us free!
The first eleven verses of John 8 tell a poignant story. An adulteress is cast at the feet of Jesus
accused by the religious leaders who are trying, as usual, to trap Jesus in their questioning. Jesus
made it clear to all those present that the authority to condemn belongs only to those who are perfect.
This left no one in the running but Himself, and when the two of them were left alone, He spoke
these words to her. Jesus – the standard of perfection – does not condemn us. We are unrightfully
condemned by others and by ourselves, but the One whose opinion actually matters stands with
arms outstretched, offering freedom and forgiveness to all who would come.
A day is coming when Christ will return. This time it will be in all His glory, honour and authority, and
this time He will judge and condemn. He will judge all who have ever walked the earth, and He will
condemn to eternal separation those who chose to disregard His lordship. Jesus did not condemn
the adulteress, but He did tell her to go and sin no more. This is what He tells us. He forgives us of
our sin when we repent – He wipes us clean and casts our sin as far as the east is from the west
– and then He empowers us to turn from our wicked ways and seek His face. So let’s stop kicking
ourselves. Let us accept the forgiveness of Jesus, and let us turn from our sin and walk in the
freedom of the Son.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What is your picture of Jesus? Is he angry and condemning? Is He lovey-dovey, never
convicting you of anything? These are two extremes. Ask Him to give you a true and biblical
view of Himself.
2. Surely you know the character struggles and hardships in your life. Listen in prayer and ask
Jesus what He wants to say to you regarding these things.
