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October 2010 DevotionalA Passion for Purity
Jesus had been teaching in the temple when this adulterous woman was paraded before everyone. Her accusers did not care about her; they only wanted to use her for their own agenda. According to the Law, she deserved death by stoning. We can easily feel the nervous hush that must have fallen upon all those present. This woman had been caught in her sin, and now the religious leaders hoped to snare Jesus with his words. What would Jesus say should be done with her? As in other situations, Jesus saw the needs of the people around him and would use this “teachable moment” for their benefit. He did not answer immediately but stooped down and wrote on the ground, possibly waiting until he had their complete attention. Finally, he gave his answer: He that is without sin among you [emphasis mine], let him first cast a stone at her. In the lengthening stillness, the eldest sinner down to the youngest sinner, turned and walked away one by one bearing the weight of his own guilty conscience. While those religious leaders saw an opportunity to flaunt their own righteousness and power, Jesus gently confronted them with the truth of their own sinful hearts. Their deep conviction made it impossible to lift a hand against that woman. Jesus gave them an attitude adjustment! What is our attitude toward those caught in sexual sin? Is it mean-spirited and judgmental like those religious leaders? When we become aware of our own sinfulness (instead of denying or excusing it), there is only room for mercy and grace towards others.
Finally, Jesus leaves us a further example to follow. He adds, Go, and sin no more. Not only was this woman’s sin confronted (publicly, ouch!) and then wonderfully forgiven, but now her sin needed to be forsaken. In those simple words the Lord Jesus not only shared his expectation that she should turn from her sin, but he also shared his belief it was possible for her to live a different kind of life, one that was an example of purity. It is never too late! 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says, For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication [sexual immorality]: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. If we are truly passionate about purity, we must take every opportunity to teach in word and by example God’s wonderful plan and purpose for our sexuality and offer the hope for a changed life to anyone who will come to Jesus. So, what does a passion for purity look like for us? Well, it seeks to stand for righteousness by word and example in our homes, churches, communities, and government. It also sees the heart needs of people and seeks to do something about that need. It is not self-righteous, condemning, harsh or shaming. It is humble, confronting the sin in Self; and in that humbleness, it can offer mercy and grace to others (Matt. 7:1-5). It seeks to gently confront the sinner and share the healing balm of forgiveness it has found in Christ. Then it teaches others how to walk with the hope of a new life to live—one with a passion for purity! May we each search our own hearts and seek to see people just as Jesus sees them.
Mrs. Andrea Koenig |
Most of us are well aware of the erosion of sexual purity in our culture, and many have been working diligently to promote sexual abstinence until marriage and protect the sanctity of marriage for years. We must not give up but continue to do all that we can such as voting, examining school curriculum, communicating with our legislators, etc. But in addition to all these things, we must not forget about the individual people involved. In John 8:2-11 we find the account of the Jewish religious rulers bringing an adulterous woman before the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ response to this situation teaches us that he looked beyond the circumstances, saw the needs of the people involved, and sought to meet those needs. If we want to truly have a passion for purity, we should also seek to minister to the individual and the needs of his heart.
Next, we see that a passion for purity acknowledges that God, the only one who has the right to condemn sinners, provides forgiveness. While the woman’s accusers slink away, she remains rooted before Jesus in guilt and shame. Turning to her, Jesus disassociates himself from those sinful accusers. Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? In other words, “Look around. Your accusers, sinners just like you, have fled!” Then Jesus says those precious words, Neither do I condemn thee. The only One who had every right to condemn her—the One Without Sin—offered forgiveness! Interestingly, out of all those assembled in this scene, it seems that only one walked away forgiven that day—the adulterous woman! When we experience the power of those words, neither do I condemn thee, in our lives, our hearts should burn to share with others with the most wonderful news of all—there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ! For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17).
Perhaps you have never made peace with God and fear His judgment just like that adulterous woman was facing a possible stoning. He will forgive anyone at any time who will come to Him confessing his sin, turning from his sin, and believing that Jesus died and shed His blood to pay for his sin. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish [be judged for his sin in hell] but have everlasting life (John 3:16). If you have not accepted this forgiveness, do so today, and begin a new life with Jesus as Lord and Saviour! But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).