And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

With your prayers, we will begin a series this week on the subject of grace.  At this point I’m not sure how long the series will last or where God will lead us.   It is my prayer that these next few weeks will encourage and bless as I  post the words God is leading me to share with you.

I look forward to your continued input through the comments and surveys.  ~S

In the eighth chapter of John’s gospel we are given a story about a woman who was caught in adultery.

In the opening scene of this account we are introduced to a whole cast of characters each playing a very distinct role. First, we see the Pharisees, a bunch of religious men doing their religious thing . You can almost hear the hardness of their hearts as they throw the woman to the ground at Jesus’ feet. “Here Jesus, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Moses said to stone her (which by the way is not true see Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22), what do you say we should to do with her?”

Can you relate to this scene? Has there ever been a time when you have “demanded justice” for some offense? Have you ever disguised God’s truth in a cloak of self-righteousness? Remember, we’re being honest. Speaking for myself, I know I have to plead guilty, as a matter of fact, I’m a repeat offender.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

So many victories were won for us at Calvary.  Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection we have been set free from the penalty of our sin. There is one word that pretty much sums up all that Calvary accomplished – GRACE.

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus   (Romans 3:24) 

GRACE the wonderful, unmerited favor of God

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8)

GRACE that is greater than any sin we can commit.

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Romans 5:20)

GRACE that is adequate to meet all our needs.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:8).

GRACE that is never exhausted

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:16)

Our having received such grace, should we expect anything less of ourselves than to extend it freely to others? Isn’t that what Jesus is telling us in John 8?  To check ourselves first?   To remember that we are all sinners saved by His grace?  To give the same unlimited grace to others that He has given us?

and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:4)

Next time we’re inclined to cast stones, let’s ask ourselves – “who do I want to look like?

• A Pharisee, with a rock in my hand?

OR

• Jesus, with grace in my heart”?

This week’s survey gives you an opportunity to ask yourself that question right now.

~Sandra