The Journal of Biblical Accuracy

Download for free the PDF version of the study, optimized for your e-book reader / table / desktop / smartphone PDF version

"Go and sin no more": what the Lord expects from forgiven sinners.

In John 8:3-11 we have an indicative record of the Lord’s great love, compassion and forgiveness for sinners. Let’s read it:

John 8:3-11
"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 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." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

See the great love of the Lord. He in no way wants the death of the wicked but that the wicked returns and lives. As we read in Ezekiel 33:11:

Ezekiel 33:11
"Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"

This was and is the will of God for the ungodly: He wants him to repent and turn back. He in no way wants his condemnation, his death. This does not mean that He is indifferent to sin. But to the sinner, He says: "I do not condemn you. The past is past. Go and from now on sin no more"! Please note here: He does not just say "neither do I condemn you", but also "go and from now on sin no more". Therefore He expects something from the sinner: to go and sin no more. May we be thankful for His forgiveness and instead of taking it for granted, may we take it as it truly is: a new beginning and may we strive to go and from now on sin no more.

Next section: The real family of Jesus: "Those who hear the Word of God and do it"

 

Author: Anastasios Kioulachoglou