A Better Way

October 1, 2015/CathyChung/

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Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11 (NLT)
 
Sin no more.
 
This exchange concludes the familiar story of the woman caught in adultery and dragged to the Temple for sentencing. The Law of Moses required that she be stoned to death. Jesus invites only those without sin to throw the stones which, of course, includes no one. In this way
Jesus spares the woman’s life, but tells her to “leave your life of sin.” (If
this story isn’t familiar, read John 8.)
 
Go and sin no more.
 
What emotion do you hear in Jesus’ voice?
 
I love Andy Stanley’s retelling of this story. Dr. Stanley suggests that Jesus uses an earnest tone that urges the woman to change her ways. His words sound like “I don’t need to condemn you. Your sin is already killing you. I want better for you.”
 
Our sin breaks God’s heart. He has a beautiful life planned for us and sin destroys that. It kills our mind and body. It affects our self respect and relationships. It damages our conscience. Stanley says “every sin comes prepackaged with a penalty.”
 
Go and sin no more – not because God is going to punish you or because the Bible says not to. Stop sinning because you’re hurting yourself.
 
How?
 
Reflect on your life. Name your sin. Confess it to God who forgives you and gives you the strength to change.
 
Then… tell a trusted friend or counselor who will hold you accountable. Find community. You are not alone.
 
Jesus doesn’t need to punish my sin. It’s already killing me.
 
#SeedsOfScripture @AndyStanley #stopsinning
#killingme

2 Comments

  1. CHERRILYNN BISBANO on October 2, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    This is amazing. I love the quote "I don’t need to condemn you. Your sin is already killing you. I want better for you.” I am going to ask if I can use it when I speak next month at Singing Hills. thank you for sharing, my friend.

    Reply
    • CathyChung on October 2, 2015 at 12:05 PM

      Yes, of course you can. It really comes straight from Andy Stanley's sermon at https://ncommandments.org/sin-not which I highly recommend. I love his retelling of the woman caught in adultery story. So enlightening.
      Good luck with your speaking engagement next month. What's your topic?

      Reply

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