GRACE IN ACTION

I heard recently an observation about the woman caught in adultery recorded in John 8 :3 – 11
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Very interesting to compare this to what the Pharisees attitude to her was - sin no more, and we will accept you ! They were ready to stone her in severe judgement.
And how like the professing Church today - sin no more, clean yourself up and we will accept you ! Or else, we will stone you !
In direct contrast to Jesus attitude of grace …. NO CONDEMNATION - F I R S T
and because of this attitude THEN she would SIN NO MORE from a grateful heart. A truly ACCEPTED person is more likely to sin no more from gratitude than from condemnation

Which reminds me of a true story of a prostitute who was asked to “come to Church” and who replied “why would I do that ? I feel bad enough already !”

She, like many others, was wary of those she knew would dish out judgement and condemnation to her, and possibly had already had a dose from such.
In her heart of hearts she already knew and expressed guilt, what she yearned for was simply ACCEPTANCE

We are all looking for ACCEPTANCE not CONDEMNATION
LOVE ACCEPTANCE FORGIVENESS is the cry of our hearts

NO-ONE CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW until they KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE

Mostly, the Church and Christians are quick to judge, and want others to change before they will accept them.
But Jesus …. demonstrating GRACE ….... I accept you , just as you are, because of that - now go, and sin no more - which they are most likely to remember as long as they live, and carry out in gratitude
What a difference an attitude of Jesus GRACE makes.

And this leads to another further observation.
Some commentators have said that it was Paul who promoted and developed GRACE, especially to the Gentiles, hence the books of Romans, Galatians Ephesians etc etc.
And that Jesus although ushering the dispensation of GRACE, said little about it.
Well, considering this comment, I beg to differ.
John says clearly and succintly - For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 and he should know – he was the beloved disciple who leaned on Jesus bosom John 13:23

This story of the woman caught in adultery is the most graphic illustration of GRACE possible to imagine. This woman, caught in the very act of adultery was in imminent danger of death by stoning, everyone around knew it – she was a 'dead wo-man walking' as they say.
They said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” John 8:4, 5
They also thought that they had Jesus in a watertight case – he must agree with them, or be guilty of going against Moses Law and of which they could then justifiably accuse him to his followers and the Priests. His reputation, his ministry and his following were all 'on the line.' There were high stakes on the table indeed this day.

Condemnation – the LAW was all about CONDEMNATION.
The scribes and Pharisees were only interested in seeing the penalty of the Law carried out When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Condemnation – the LAW was all about CONDEMNATION.
But GRACE is all about JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

LAW is what you are to God
GRACE is what GOD & JESUS is to us

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
For what the law could not do … God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us Romans 8 :1-4
Note -- righteousness is fulfilled IN US, NOT BY US
there's a huge difference between the two !

NO CONDEMNATION WOW

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. John 3:17 AMP

And because of that mercy, love and forgiveness, FREE to go and sin no more.

Sorry, but the Church generally has it back to front - where there is Love. Mercy, Acceptance and Forgiveness there will be appreciation, and the grateful response of a would-be disciple of Jesus.

A Church should be a gathering of redeemed sinners not a HOLINESS CLUB

GRACE is FREELY GIVEN & ACCEPTED PLUS NOTHING

LAW & RELIGION says DO Jesus says IT'S DONE ... I DID IT FOR YOU

We are not going on to perfection we are proceeding FROM being MADE PERFECT.

We are not proceeding on to a victory, but proceeding on FROM A VICTORY

GRACE is administered the moment we believe it is not only past BUT PRESENT

ALL our sins were covered at Calvary PAST, PRESENT and F U T U R E

We are not free to sin but FREE FROM SIN - its power is broken.

Its not GREASY GRACE, but blessed GRACE that produces HOLY LIVING

N O C O N D E M N A T I O N just GRACE pure and simple
and enough for the entire journey, our entire pilgrimage

W O W