Greg Laurie Harvest Daily Devotional

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Harvest Daily with Greg Laurie - May 17, 2006



Wednesday May 17, 2006

 

No Condemnation

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

—Romans 8:1

 

She had probably been used and abused all her life by men. And now they were demanding her execution.

 

I’m speaking of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1–11. Her accusers could only see a woman who was living an immoral lifestyle. Jesus could only see a woman forgiven of her sins. And with one statement from Jesus, her accusers departed. There she was, looking into the very eyes of God. Instead of seeing scorn and hatred, she saw love and compassion as Jesus uttered the words: “ ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ ” (John 8:10).

 

She could only answer, “ ‘No one, Lord’ ” (John 8:11).

 

“ ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’ ” (John 8:11).

 

How could Jesus say such a thing to an adulterous woman? He could make such a revolutionary statement because, in a short time, He was going to the cross where the world’s sins would be poured upon Him. He would soon bear every sin that this woman had ever committed. Jesus was proclaiming this truth: “I will not condemn you, because I am going to face the condemnation that you should face. I am going to pay the price for your sin.”

 

Notice that He did not say, “Go and sin no more and, as a result, I will not condemn you.” If that were the case, no one could be forgiven. We don’t seek to live godly lives in order to win God’s approval and forgiveness. If we believe in Him, He will accept us no matter what we have done. He will throw His arms around us and receive us. But God doesn’t stop there. He also wants to change us.

 

Jesus’ act of forgiveness was followed by a challenge. “Go and sin no more.”

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.

Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries.  All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.  Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.  Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.



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