Nor do I condemn you

"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more." (John 8:11)
A group of scribes and Pharisees, in an outward appearance of piety, take with them a woman accused of sin and approach the temple court, to throw their trembling, frightened captive before Christ, and indicate that they have come to take His opinion. Their claim was true, and there was no doubt about the woman's sin, and the law was clear: "Such a woman shall be stoned."

But who is to carry it out? "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her!" Thus answered the Lord. But who would dare to say, "I am without sin"? And if there is no one who can do so; Each of them is under the same judgment, as was the woman, "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

"And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." She was before the one who was without sin, and therefore the only one who could throw a stone at her. She, according to the law, deserved to be condemned, and He alone could execute this judgment. Glory be to You, our beloved Master, for He said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more."

This reveals in the character of our Savior a profound wisdom, a compassion for sinners, with a strong hatred of sin, and a keen awareness of what is in the heart of man. Our Master did not grant her pardon under any condition; He did not say, "Neither do I condemn you, if you will not sin." No, he first gave her a full forgiveness, knowing that this would give her the impetus to avoid sin in the future. If you will.

Dear Reader
To have power against sin, you must believe that God has forgiven you in Christ, and by faith in Christ and His work you are justified freely before God, on account of the blood of our Lord Jesus which came out of Him on the cross, and by which He made peace and reconciliation.

By Darby