Monday, July 8, 2013

The Real Judge

Every month's fast and testimony meeting is an adventure. You have people sharing all sorts of interesting stories, experiences, lectures, testimonies, etc. However this last Sunday, someone shared a certain Bible story that provided me with an interesting perspective.


We have the story of the woman taken in adultery and for the most part we all remember the beginning and the end of the story. Christ speaks to the Pharisees and Sadducees and says, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." The mob disperses and then later after the woman sees that she and the Savior are alone he tells her compassionately, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?" She replies, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Christ does not forgive this woman for the sin because she had not yet taken the time to repent and seek forgiveness. The sin that she had committed when is second only to murder and denying the Holy Ghost so the gravity of her actions were great. However, if we stop and look more closely at the situation we will see something so loving and miraculous about this event.

All of the world is there pointing fingers, acknowledging and condemning her for her mistake. Yet Christ dispels the mob and asks who is left to condemn the woman. The only individuals that are left are the Savior and the sinner, of which the Savior does not condemn the sinner. He loves her. The only individual who condemns us is ourselves. We are the only one who can separate ourselves from Christ. He is willing to love us and allow us the time to repent. He will not condemn us. We are not too far gone. His sacrifice was infinite and eternal. His love knows no bounds. There is hope yet for this woman as there is hope yet for all of us. The gravity of the mistake does not condemn us. Our pasts do not condemn us. We condemn us. Christ is and will always be the Savior and will do everything in His power to help redeem and sanctify us so we can return home to our Heavenly Father. God's love is eternal. If only we could see ourselves through His loving eyes.

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