"Stone"

Why don’t they realize,

Why don’t they know,

That judging so harshly,

Is no way to go.

She did have her problems,

And so full of sin,

Dragged before Jesus,

Let the stoning begin.

But He asked the question,

That not once occurred,

To a one of her judges,

Surprised when they heard,

Let him without sin,

Cast the first stone,

And oldest to youngest,

They left her alone.

Where are your accusers,

She heard Jesus say,

They’re all gone, Lord,

Not one of them stayed.

I don’t condemn you,

Now go, sin no more,

What that must have felt like,

When He opened that door.

And, oh, what a lesson,

We all need to learn,

The heart of our Father,

Is for His love to turn,

Judgment to mercy,

Then mercy sets free,

To turn us from sinful,

To all we can be.

 And when it’s so certain,

We’ve learned it is grace,

We turn to others,

With His smile on our face.

We do not judge them,

But offer a way,

For them to find mercy,

And a new life today.

Take our cue from Jesus,

No one threw a stone,

And we shouldn’t either,

‘Cause His grace we’ve known.

“…neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:8:11)

In one simple sentence to an adulterous woman Jesus summed up God’s entire character and response to our deepest need. He does not condemn us though He is the righteous judge who is totally fair and never misjudged anyone. Knowing our sinfulness, why does He not condemn us? Because He is merciful and compassionate. He is a forgiving God who longs to grace us with pardon and transforming grace. The second half of Jesus’ statement is equally powerful. Go and sin no more or go and leave behind your life of sin. God offers a new future free from the bondage of our sinful habits. He offers a new way forward if we will cooperate with Him and be willing to change. The hope of change is as great as not being condemned, and both are life-changing. If we receive this truth personally, our lives will be transformed. If we give this grace to others, it stacks the odds that they can change, too.

Lord, help us to be conduits of Your grace, in Jesus’ name.

Art by R.S. Riddick, rsriddick.com. Used by permission. Thanks, and God bless you.