LOVE LIFTED ME

[Read:  John 7-8]

Let's look at John 8:1-12

Jesus was teaching in the Temple.  Next thing you know the scribes and Pharisees hauled a woman into the midst of the congregation to expose her sin.  They'd just caught her in the act of adultery!  (The Law in those days punished such acts by stoning the person to death.)

These religious leaders were setting a trap--hoping to catch Jesus if He,in any way, would stray from the Letter-of-The-Law!  They were just using this woman as "bait," hoping Jesus would bite off more than He could chew!

Self-righteous people often conceal their own sins by judging and condemning others.  These scribes and Pharisees were playing "The Blame Game."  The devil, known as "the Accuser," always blames and CONDEMNS....puts people down!  Jesus always CONVICTS people and lifts them up!

Well, their little plan backfired!  Instead of condemning the woman, Jesus CONFRONTED her accusers with these words:  "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the 1st stone!"
It only took one sentence to disarm them!  They, one-by-one, dropped their stones and left the Temple.

Now don't get me wrong....He didn't excuse the woman's sin!  But He sternly cautioned her to "go and sin no more!"  Jesus came into this world not to condemn sinners, but to save them and set them free from sin.  Jesus loves the sinners, but cannot tolerate SIN!

We are pardoned when we confess we are sinners--saved only by His grace and mercy--repent (turn away) from our old ways and walk His Way.  We're "saved" in an instant (as was this adulterous woman).  No longer  held under by "The Law," but lifted up by His grace.